An Arkansas State Police trooper, Michael Austin Kennedy, resigned after racist, sexist, and anti-LGBTQ text messages surfaced during his divorce and custody dispute, according to court filings reported by KATV. The messages were submitted by his estranged wife, Alana Delaney Kennedy, who provided screenshots that she says show hateful views directed at Black people, Hispanics, Muslims, women, and LGBTQ individuals.
Court records say the messages became public in Saline County divorce proceedings and included slurs, anti-immigrant remarks, and support for extreme positions such as banning Muslims from the United States and repealing the 19th Amendment, which gives women the right to vote. One allegation claims Kennedy sent his wife photos of himself posing with detained Hispanic immigrants while on duty and referred to them as “trophies.”
Alana Delaney Kennedy is seeking sole custody of their two children, arguing that his beliefs and behavior make him a danger to the family. She claims the children fear their father and that his rhetoric could influence them negatively. The filings describe him as a white supremacist and say his conduct raises serious concerns about the children’s safety and well-being.
The Arkansas State Police confirmed Kennedy resigned on May 15 after the allegations came to light. The agency reviewed his traffic stops and citations and said it found no evidence that the views expressed in the messages affected his official law-enforcement duties. Kennedy has not denied sending the texts.
In a court response, his attorney said Kennedy “explicitly acknowledges” and “deeply regrets” the offensive language, adding that the messages do not reflect his current beliefs. The defense said the texts were sent before he received therapy and spiritual counseling through his church, and that they were written months before the divorce case began. The most recent messages cited in the filings were reportedly dated January 2025.
The case has drawn attention because it involves a law-enforcement officer accused of expressing openly hateful beliefs while serving in a position of public trust. The allegations, if proven, raise questions about the standards expected of police officers and the risks posed when individuals with discriminatory views wear a badge and carry a gun.
