Washington, D.C. – Ice was supposed to go home.
Instead, federal prosecutors allege that the Siberian Husky was stolen from his Maryland home, taken across state lines and used as leverage in an effort to force his owner to surrender a vehicle.
When the owner refused to hand over the vehicle because Ice had not been returned, prosecutors say the group went back to Washington, D.C.
Ice never made it home.
According to a federal indictment, he was taken into an alley in Southeast Washington just minutes after his owner received threatening text messages—and was allegedly shot in the head with a 9mm firearm.
Three people have been indicted in connection with the alleged scheme: Antwon Sockwell, 36; Keith Packer, 35; and Tierra Love, 38.
ICE WAS THE LEVERAGE
According to prosecutors, the alleged conspiracy began following a dispute involving a vehicle.
On July 11, 2026, Packer and Love allegedly stole Ice from his owner’s Maryland residence and took him to Washington, D.C., where prosecutors say he was brought to Sockwell’s apartment building.
Later that day, the three allegedly returned to the owner’s home and confronted him about the vehicle.
But he refused to give them access to it because Ice had not been returned.
The group allegedly drove back to Washington.
Then came the messages.
According to the indictment, Packer allegedly sent the owner:
“all dawgs [sic] go to”
followed by:
“anything you wanna say last?”
Prosecutors allege that just minutes later, Ice was taken into a nearby alley and shot in the head with a 9mm firearm.
He was killed.
THREE PEOPLE FACE FEDERAL CHARGES
Sockwell, Packer and Love were charged in a five-count federal indictment filed September 18 and unsealed September 23.
The charges include:
- Animal crushing
- Conspiracy
- Interstate communications with intent to extort
- Interstate stalking
- Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence
Love was arrested in Virginia on September 23 and made her initial appearance in federal court in Washington, D.C. Sockwell remains detained pending trial, while Packer is in custody in Maryland on state charges.
On September 11, authorities recovered a 9mm firearm from Sockwell’s residence while executing a search warrant. Prosecutors have not stated in the DOJ release that the recovered firearm was the weapon used to kill Ice.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro described Ice as an “innocent dog” who was taken hostage as part of an alleged scheme to extort his owner.
ICE NEVER GOT TO GO HOME
Whatever dispute existed over the vehicle, Ice had nothing to do with it.
He was a family dog who, prosecutors allege, was taken from his home and used as leverage against his owner.
His owner refused to surrender the vehicle because he wanted his dog back.
Instead, prosecutors allege, Ice was killed.
Animal Victory is asking the public to sign a petition urging federal prosecutors to pursue the case to the fullest extent permitted by law.
An indictment contains allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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