Police chief arrested for rape, sexual extortion; no longer works for department

TURRELL, Ark. (KAIT) - A Crittenden County police chief is now facing rape and sexual extortion charges after his arrest.

According to his attorney, Turrell Police Chief Perry Jennings was arrested Wednesday in the case.

On Thursday, Turrell Mayor Charles Webster told Region 8 News that Jennings no longer works for the department.

Jennings was fired Wednesday upon learning the results of the state police investigation, Turrell City Attorney Curtis Walker said.

Arkansas State Police officials said earlier this month that they had opened a sexual assault investigation into Jennings.

According to ASP Public Information Specialist Bill Sadler, a criminal investigation division special agent has opened the investigation into Jennings.

Jennings’ attorney said Thursday that her client had been questioned by the Arkansas State Police in the case. On Wednesday, Jennings, through his attorney, continued to deny any wrongdoing in the case.

Sadler said the information for the investigation was provided to ASP by the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Department in Marion.

Authorities said in October that Jennings had been suspended from his duties pending an investigation into allegations he sexually assaulted a woman while on duty.

The woman alleged that Jennings approached her at a gas station and took her back to the police department, where she says the assault happened.

Jennings is expected to appear in a Crittenden County courtroom Friday.

Walker confirmed to KAIT he is also the city attorney for Turrell and could not comment on the case in order to “protect the city;” however, Walker did confirm that Jennings has hired an attorney.

KAIT has reached out to the city for information about Jennings’ status with the department. When asked, a city employee said they “were not sure” who was fulfilling the duties of chief.

In October, Mayor Charles Webster confirmed that Jennings had been suspended and issued the following statement:

When asked if Arkansas State Police are also investigating, Webster said that decision would be up to the sheriff’s office.

KAIT8 has sent a Freedom of Information request to the city for more details.

Jennings’ attorney issued the following statement:

Mr. Jennings denies any wrongdoing and stands ready to cooperate with law enforcement’s investigation. It is my understanding from news stories that have been published, that the sexual allegations are alleged to have occurred during an interaction between the woman and Mr. Jennings in a conference room located at Turrell City Hall. Mr. Jennings does admit that he came in contact with this woman and asked her to come to City Hall after finding her in possession of an illicit substance.
The conference room where Mr. Jennings met with the woman is equipped with large windows which allow people who are located outside of the building to clearly see inside of the room. Further, there was an eyewitness who was parked outside during the interaction between the woman and Mr. Jennings who has provided a written statement.
It has come to Mr. Jennings’ attention that the woman has accused him of wrongdoing by indicating that he provided his phone number to her. During their interaction, the woman was extremely emotional, was in an unfamiliar area, and was having difficulty getting GPS to pull up on her phone. As such, Mr. Jennings provided his phone number to her, in case she had difficulty finding her way back to the interstate. Mr. Jennings denies that providing this information to the woman under these circumstances was inappropriate, and further denies ever requesting that she send pictures to him.
It is unknown to Mr. Jennings if there were other eyewitnesses, but if so, we urge those individuals to reach out to law enforcement, so that this investigation can be completed in a timely manner.
Further, it has come to Mr. Jennings’ attention that the woman is alleging that this interaction took place at an empty building that is the prior location of police station which is now closed; however, this is inaccurate. The interaction occurred at Turrell City Hall located at 160 Eureka Street, Turrell, Arkansas.
We hope that this statement helps to clarify some of the facts involved, following the publicity of this case and the allegations made towards Mr. Jennings. Pending the completion of the investigation, we are unable to comment further on any details involving the incident. We appreciate you reaching out.
Aarika Kilgore Thompson, Attorney for Perry Jennings

Jennings is also a patrol officer for Luxora. Chief Albert Wright says he’s been placed on paid suspension pending the outcome of the investigation.

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