On June 17, 1999, a neighbor near Orchard Park called police to report a dog fight in progress. When police arrived, suspects and dogs scattered.
One minor and four adults were booked for dog-fighting. At the Humane Society, four of the dogs were quarantined, and the fifth received treatment for "fresh lacerations and puncture wounds," according to police. All five dogs bore scars "consistent with fighting."
On Saturday, June 19, unknown suspects broke into the Humane Society and released three of the seized dogs. "Honey," a light brown female with a white chest, and "Capone," described as an "aggressive" 6-month-old male, had disappeared. The third dog was found wandering near the shelter on the next day.
Most of the dog-fighting suspects reportedly have prior criminal histories.
Jorge Meza was arrested a year and a half ago and charged with assaulting a man during a fight between Norte�os and Sure�os. He is identified in the police report as a "known member of the Norte�os gang."
Omar Navarro, already on probation for a drug charge, was reportedly in trouble with his probation officer for being in contact with known gang members and felons.
Clifford Ohotto was charged with possession of methamphetamine for sale in 1998. Police reportedly also found more than $2,000 in cash, a scale, and a small amount of marijuana.
On June 20, 1999, Ohotto was arrested on two counts of exhibiting a deadly weapon at a motorist.
In September, two of the dogs seized in the June arrest, "Chata" and "Tito," were euthanized. Case UpdatesAccording to court records, Francisco Vasquez pled guilty to felony animal cruelty charges on May 29, 2001. He was sentenced to 240 days in jail, to be served concurrently with another pending criminal case.
On March 6, 2001, both Jorge Meza and Omar Navarro pled guilty to felony animal cruelty charges. The charge of dog-fighting was dismissed pursuant to a plea agreement. Meza was sentenced to 120 days in jail and 3 years' probation. Navarro was sentenced to 240 days in jail and 2 years probation. Navarro reportedly violated his probation in October 2001, and was sentenced to 16 months in state prison.
According to court records, Clifford Ohotto pled guilty to one felony count of cruelty to animals on March 6, 2001. He was sentenced to 8 months in jail and 3 years' probation. Ohotto failed to appear in court for a probation violation hearing on September 27, 2001, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
The no-bail warrant remains outstanding. Anyone with information regarding Ohotto's whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office at (408) 808-4900. | Source: Docket # EE014207
Update posted on Jun 7, 2007 - 6:15PM |
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