Orangeburg, South Carolina – A South Carolina man who admitted to burning a puppy in a rum fueled fire could face up to seven years in prison. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of South Carolina details how 29-year-old Desmond Levon Brown killed the puppy, and his admission of guilt:
Deputies discovered the deceased puppy in a wooded area near the incident location. Federal law enforcement obtained the Facebook video, which showed Brown holding the puppy above the fire, dropping it into the fire, and repeatedly kicking the puppy into the fire, burning it alive. Further evidence showed that the fire, which was started by Brown’s associate, was made using a brand of rum that was imported from the Caribbean and bottled in Kentucky. After his arrest, Brown was recorded on jail calls admitting to burning the puppy.
According to the April 16 news release, Brown pleaded guilty to animal crushing, which includes burning, under the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (PACT Act). This is the first known PACT Act Conviction in South Carolina.
U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina said:
“Brown’s gruesome torture of a puppy was heinous. He showed no mercy in his crime, and we look forward to his sentencing. Our office will lead the fight to protect the welfare of animals in South Carolina.”
In addition to prison time, Brown also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and three years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Brown after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
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