Arkansas state trooper wrote ‘white supremacist’ texts to wife, resigns after she reveals them in divorce filing
The former state trooper sent more than two dozen racist, homophobic and sexist text messages to his wife, according to her court filings reviewed by PEOPLE
NEED TO KNOW
- Divorce filings revealed at least 30 racist, sexist, and homophobic text messages former Arkansas state trooper Michael Austin Kennedy appeared to have sent his wife
- Kennedy resigned from the Arkansas State Police force soon after the texts were made public
- The text messages were filed amid the couple’s divorce proceedings and a bitter custody battle over their two children
An Arkansas state trooper has resigned after his wife filed court documents showing more than two dozen racist and sexist text messages he appeared to have sent to her over the years.
The filings late last month came amid the couple’s divorce proceedings and a custody battle over their two young children. Michael Austin Kennedy has since resigned from the Arkansas State Police after the text messages were revealed, according to KVUE, KATV, and local 5News.
Alana Delaney Kennedy wrote in a complaint last month that she’s seeking sole custody of their children because she’s concerned her estranged husband “is a white supremacist and as such is going to poison the minds of the children with his views and actions.”
PEOPLE has reviewed the court documents, which show 30 screenshots of text messages the former state trooper allegedly sent his wife using racial slurs and bragging about arresting people from minority backgrounds.
Some of the text messages included photos he allegedly took posing with people he appeared to be arresting at the time. Another text message reviewed by PEOPLE shows Michael suggesting the repeal of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. Another shows Michael using homophobic slurs.In one court filing, Alana suggests her estranged husband enter a parenting course “in order to limit the hatred and prejudice that he has towards people.” She also claims in the complaint that Michael and his father, ASP Deputy Director Lt. Col. Mike Kennedy, threatened to have her arrested for unveiling the text messages.
“He blames [Alana] and everyone else for their reaction to his toxic behavior, but does not admit that the disrespect for people, his family, and his children was the trigger that made her react,” Alana’s filing said. “This is an example that no one plays the victim better than the one who caused the damage.”
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
The now-former Arkansas state trooper acknowledged the racist, sexist, and homophobic text messages he allegedly sent his wife in a May 21 filing responding to the exhibits.
“[Michael] explicitly acknowledges, takes full responsibility for, and deeply regrets the highly offensive and unacceptable language used in the referenced past communications,” his lawyer’s filing reads. “[Michael] makes no excuse for those statements; they were entirely improper, do not reflect [Michael’s] values today, and [Michael] is profoundly ashamed of them.”
The Saline County court filings show the Kennedys married in January 2014 and later separated in February 2026.
PEOPLE has reached out to the Arkansas State Police for comment but did not receive a response Wednesday morning. Local 5News reported that Kennedy officially resigned from his position as a state trooper on May 15 after the text messages were filed.
