After more than three decades of service to the University of Mississippi, Dr. Charlotte Fant Pegues, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, announced her retirement.

However, her departure comes under a cloud of controversy following her recent indictment on felony charges of animal cruelty.

Pegues, who has been a part of the university for 32 years, was formally indicted in September by a Lafayette County grand jury on 10 counts of animal cruelty. The charges stem from an investigation that began on Aug. 4, when deputies responded to a property on County Road 418 after receiving a report of potential animal neglect.

Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered several malnourished dogs, along with the remains of multiple deceased animals still tethered to collars and chains.

The Pegues are still awaiting trial.

Her husband, Terry Pegues, was arrested on Aug. 8 on similar charges after authorities rescued 20 animals from the property and recovered 10 deceased dogs.

Pegues was placed on leave after she was indicted.

Pegues had served as the interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs for two years before officially assuming the role in 2021. According to a statement released on Friday by Provost Noel Wilkin, the University has launched a national search for her replacement, aiming to have a new leader in place before the start of the next academic year.