The response is humorously put by him. This criminal organization selling Horse meat with Ecoli and training dogs for fighting was ignored for 3 years by LCSO.
Im John Holloway, Chief of Operations & Legal Services for Sheriff Scott.
Your email was forwarded to me so that we might address your concerns in a timely manner.
First, please allow me to state unequivocally that LCSOs record of investigating and arresting those who mistreat animals is exemplary and second to none. Tis mission is the primary purposes for which we staff, equip, train, and maintain an Agriculture Unit.
The gist of this particular matter is that an organization identified as A.R.M. utilized practices the State Attorneys Office determined to be illegal to obtain evidence of others criminal conduct. When LCSO attempted to obtain arrest warrants based, in part, on the evidence provided by A.R.M., on at least two occasions, the State Attorneys office declined to prosecute, determining that A.R.M.s illegal conduct prevented the suspects prosecution. We understand the SAO also determined that because A.R.M.s staff members felonious conduct resulted from well-meaning efforts, it was unnecessary to pursue prosecute of A.R.M.s employees who had engaged in such conduct.
It has been suggested that in this instance we ignore the constitutional protections afforded folks in America, we cannot, and will not violate the rights of those we encounter or investigate. Our deputies swear an oath to protect and defend the constitution, and we take that oath very seriously; that oath is the basis of our legitimate authority and the basis for the freedoms we Americans hold dear. As a result, despite the extraordinary amount of time and resources devoted to this investigation, (including use of undercover detectives reassigned from Narcotics, and Aviation and Patrol resources), we accept the States Attorneys decisions as legitimate and controlling.
While the previous investigation was hampered by A.R.M.s conduct, more recently, our deputies conducting their investigations legally, utilizing legally obtained evidence by following our usual practices, arrested an individual related to the earlier investigation for animal cruelty charges. While this does not ameliorate the disappointment resulting from the inability to arrest the suspect previously, it demonstrates that LCSOs practices and protocols are the best avenue available to successfully arrest and prosecute those who treat animals inhumanely.
Its important to note that in addition to criminal prosecution, LCSOs Legal Services Bureau has a stellar record of litigating the seizure of mistreated animals, seeking forfeiture these animals in court proceedings; as well as seeking injunctions limiting or eliminating the suspects right to possess or control animals in the future. LCSOs Legal Services Bureau has litigated these matters so successfully our attorneys are now recognized experts in the field, and called upon to advise other law enforcement agencies on accomplishing these goals.
Thank you for your support and understanding as LCSO continues its aggressive efforts, using legal means, to prevent the inhumane treatment of animals and to the arrest and prosecution of those who engage in that outrageous conduct, while protecting the constitutional rights of those we encounter.
If we can be of assistance, please dont hesitate to contact me through this email address.
John
John Holloway | Chief Of Operations
Desk: 239-477-1294
Legal Services Executive Bureau
Lee County Sheriff's Office
Im John Holloway, Chief of Operations & Legal Services for Sheriff Scott.
Your email was forwarded to me so that we might address your concerns in a timely manner.
First, please allow me to state unequivocally that LCSOs record of investigating and arresting those who mistreat animals is exemplary and second to none. Tis mission is the primary purposes for which we staff, equip, train, and maintain an Agriculture Unit.
The gist of this particular matter is that an organization identified as A.R.M. utilized practices the State Attorneys Office determined to be illegal to obtain evidence of others criminal conduct. When LCSO attempted to obtain arrest warrants based, in part, on the evidence provided by A.R.M., on at least two occasions, the State Attorneys office declined to prosecute, determining that A.R.M.s illegal conduct prevented the suspects prosecution. We understand the SAO also determined that because A.R.M.s staff members felonious conduct resulted from well-meaning efforts, it was unnecessary to pursue prosecute of A.R.M.s employees who had engaged in such conduct.
It has been suggested that in this instance we ignore the constitutional protections afforded folks in America, we cannot, and will not violate the rights of those we encounter or investigate. Our deputies swear an oath to protect and defend the constitution, and we take that oath very seriously; that oath is the basis of our legitimate authority and the basis for the freedoms we Americans hold dear. As a result, despite the extraordinary amount of time and resources devoted to this investigation, (including use of undercover detectives reassigned from Narcotics, and Aviation and Patrol resources), we accept the States Attorneys decisions as legitimate and controlling.
While the previous investigation was hampered by A.R.M.s conduct, more recently, our deputies conducting their investigations legally, utilizing legally obtained evidence by following our usual practices, arrested an individual related to the earlier investigation for animal cruelty charges. While this does not ameliorate the disappointment resulting from the inability to arrest the suspect previously, it demonstrates that LCSOs practices and protocols are the best avenue available to successfully arrest and prosecute those who treat animals inhumanely.
Its important to note that in addition to criminal prosecution, LCSOs Legal Services Bureau has a stellar record of litigating the seizure of mistreated animals, seeking forfeiture these animals in court proceedings; as well as seeking injunctions limiting or eliminating the suspects right to possess or control animals in the future. LCSOs Legal Services Bureau has litigated these matters so successfully our attorneys are now recognized experts in the field, and called upon to advise other law enforcement agencies on accomplishing these goals.
Thank you for your support and understanding as LCSO continues its aggressive efforts, using legal means, to prevent the inhumane treatment of animals and to the arrest and prosecution of those who engage in that outrageous conduct, while protecting the constitutional rights of those we encounter.
If we can be of assistance, please dont hesitate to contact me through this email address.
John
John Holloway | Chief Of Operations
Desk: 239-477-1294
Legal Services Executive Bureau
Lee County Sheriff's Office