LITTLE ROCK, AR – Two former supervisors at the White River Juvenile Detention Center in Batesville, Arkansas, have confessed to a sickening pattern of abuse. Captain Peggy Kendrick, 43, and Lieutenant Dennis Fuller, 40, pleaded guilty today in federal court to conspiring to assault juvenile inmates, bringing a dark chapter at the facility closer to resolution. The case, pursued by the Department of Justice and the FBI, reveals a disturbing disregard for the rights – and safety – of vulnerable youth.
According to court documents, Kendrick, Fuller, and other unnamed officers routinely pepper-sprayed detainees who posed no immediate threat. The assault didn’t end with the spray; the officers allegedly locked the compliant, burning juveniles in their cells, callously telling each other to “let them cook” instead of providing necessary decontamination. Kendrick faces additional charges for directly assaulting a sixteen-year-old girl with pepper spray and then attempting to erase the evidence by falsifying an incident report.
“When correction officers violate laws and the Constitution, they will be prosecuted. There is no exception,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick C. Harris for the Eastern District of Arkansas. “I understand the difficult job they have, but that is not an excuse for assaulting a juvenile and obstructing an investigation. In fact, there is no excuse for that. That is a crime and we will prosecute the criminals.” The sentiment underscores a growing federal focus on accountability within correctional facilities.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the gravity of the offenses. “Corrections officers who use excessive force against inmates in their custody violate the Constitution,” Wheeler stated. “The Justice Department is committed to vigorously investigating and prosecuting officers who break the public trust in this way.” The FBI’s Little Rock Field Office, led by Special Agent in Charge Diane Upchurch, described the actions as “appalling” and reaffirmed their commitment to investigating and punishing those responsible.
The pair now face significant prison time. A violation of 18 U.S.C. § 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights) carries a maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. 18 U.S.C. § 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law) also carries a ten-year maximum and $250,000 fine, while Kendrick’s charge of falsifying records under 18 U.S.C. 1519 could add another twenty years and a $250,000 fine. Kendrick faces a combined statutory maximum of 40 years, and Fuller, ten years.
The FBI’s investigation remains ongoing, suggesting the possibility of further charges or implicated individuals. A sentencing hearing date will be set once Presentence Investigation Reports are completed. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Peters of the Eastern District of Arkansas and Trial Attorney Samantha Trepel of the Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case. This case serves as a grim reminder that even within the walls of juvenile detention, the law – and basic human decency – must prevail.
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Key Facts
- State: Arkansas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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