University of Mississippi Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Charlotte Fant Pegues was indicted last week on felony charges of animal cruelty.

According to the Grand Jury indictment, there are 20 counts against Pegues and her husband, Terry. Ten counts state that they “willfully unlawfully feloniously with intentionality starved to death a domesticated animal.” These counts are punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine not exceeding $5,000 dollars.

An additional five counts list charges of depriving an animal of food and water. The remaining five counts charge them with depriving animals of “adequate shelter.”  These counts are punishable by up to six months in prison and a fine not exceeding $1,000 dollars.

The indictment details the conditions of individual animals found, including some dogs intentionally starved to death, one burned dog skeleton and one dog found dead in a blue barrel. 

Charlotte Pegues turned herself into the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, Sept. 9 and was later released on a $75,000 bond.

“Ms. Pegues has been indicted and turned herself into my office this morning where she was served the indictments and processed,” Lafayette County Sheriff Joey East told The Daily Mississippian on Monday.

“The university is aware of the indictment and the employee has been placed on leave. The alleged charges did not result from any actions taken at or for the university, and the university is not among the parties involved in the investigation by the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department. The university will not provide further comment at this time,” University of Mississippi Director of News and Media Relations Jacob Batte said Monday in an email to The Daily Mississippian.

The Daily Mississippian subsequently reached out to the university asking for an update on the situation and had received no response as of Wednesday evening.

Despite the indictment and the statement stating Pegues had been placed on leave, a letter was sent from the university to all members of the Fraternity and Sorority Life community at 5:31 p.m. Wednesday signed by Charlotte Fant Pegues as Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and other university officials. The letter is titled “An open letter to our fraternity and sorority community” reminding students of the dangers of hazing, high-risk drinking, drug abuse and sexual violence.

Terry Pegues was arrested on 10 counts of animal cruelty on Aug. 7. The Daily Mississippian previously reported that Terry and Charlotte Pegues are listed on the deed for a property on 418 County Road, where the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department initially arrested Terry Pegues.

Graham P. Carner, Charlotte Pegues’ attorney, released a statement via email on Sept. 9 on behalf of the client.

“Dr. Charlotte Pegues had dedicated her life to service to her community and the University of Mississippi. She has served with integrity and character, which are now unfairly called into question by a rushed indictment,” Carner said. “Dr. Pegues is not guilty, and we will aggressively defend against these charges. In order not to be a distraction to the University she loves and that has loved her, Dr. Pegues will be taking a period of personal leave. She has asked for privacy as she works to preserve her good name.”

Charlotte Pegues has been an employee of the University of Mississippi for more than 30 years, initially serving as the assistant provost in 1993, according to her LinkedIn account; over a decade of that time has been in the Division of Student Affairs. She has been the permanent vice chancellor for student affairs since August 2021.

On Sunday, Aug. 4, the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office responded to a possible animal cruelty case around County Road 418, according to a press release. The responders arrived at the location and saw several dogs that appeared malnourished as well as several dogs that were deceased yet still attached to their collars and chains.

At the time of the officers’ arrival, no one was home and investigators were called to the scene where a search warrant was applied for and granted. Investigators rescued 20 animals, which were taken to a local veterinarian office. During the search, however, 10 animals were found deceased, according to the sheriff’s office press release.

Ava Hefferon contributed reporting