WASHINGTON – Jaquan Jackson, 35, of Washington, D.C., has been found guilty of charges stemming from animal abuse in which he failed to provide proper veterinary care for two dogs, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Jackson, who was sentenced on July 28, 2022, was found guilty by a judge earlier this month of two counts of animal cruelty. The verdict on July 20 followed a three-day trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable John M. Campbell sentenced Jackson to a total of 360 days in jail but suspended all but 90 days of that time on the condition that he successfully complete five years of probation.

            The judge ordered the forfeiture of all animals seized by law enforcement, a 10-year ban on owning or possessing animals, and $52,372.66 in restitution.

            According to the government’s evidence, on June 11, 2018, officers with the Metropolitan Police Department went to Jackson’s residence in the 3500 block of Brothers Place SE and found one dog deceased and hanging from a fence. Further examinations showed that the dog had extensive, mature heart worms and intestinal parasites, and that it had not eaten in approximately a day and a half. On July 26,  2018, officers found a second dog with extensive scarring on its head, face, and forelimbs consistent with dogfighting. This second dog also had untreated fractures in both front paws, several broken teeth, an open and infected wound with bone visible that required digital amputation, mature intestinal parasites, and a canine tooth embedded in its forelimb. Blood tests found that this dog suffered from Babesiosis, a rare blood infection found in breeds associated with dog fighting. In a search of the premises where the dogs resided, law enforcement found paraphernalia associated with dog fighting:  a break stick, slat mill, neck weights, scales, make-shift veterinary supplies like antiseptic for horses, fish antibiotics, medicated feed, IV bags, and a skin-stapler.

            Jackson was arrested on Jan. 24, 2019.

            In announcing the plea and sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Humane Rescue Alliance and the Metropolitan Police Department.  They also expressed appreciation for the work of those who handled the case at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Sabrina Hudgens and Wanda Trice and Victim/Witness Coordinator Maenylie Watson.

            Finally, they commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emmanuel Hampton and Matthew Goldstein, who prosecuted the case, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorneys Monica Dolin, Stephanie Dinan, and Noah Simmons, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Gilmore, who previously assisted in the investigation and prosecution.

            WASHINGTON – Jaquan Jackson, 35, of Washington, D.C., has been found guilty of charges stemming from animal abuse in which he failed to provide proper veterinary care for two dogs, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Jackson, who was sentenced on July 28, 2022, was found guilty by a judge earlier this month of two counts of animal cruelty. The verdict on July 20 followed a three-day trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable John M. Campbell sentenced Jackson to a total of 360 days in jail but suspended all but 90 days of that time on the condition that he successfully complete five years of probation.

            The judge ordered the forfeiture of all animals seized by law enforcement, a 10-year ban on owning or possessing animals, and $52,372.66 in restitution.

            According to the government’s evidence, on June 11, 2018, officers with the Metropolitan Police Department went to Jackson’s residence in the 3500 block of Brothers Place SE and found one dog deceased and hanging from a fence. Further examinations showed that the dog had extensive, mature heart worms and intestinal parasites, and that it had not eaten in approximately a day and a half. On July 26,  2018, officers found a second dog with extensive scarring on its head, face, and forelimbs consistent with dogfighting. This second dog also had untreated fractures in both front paws, several broken teeth, an open and infected wound with bone visible that required digital amputation, mature intestinal parasites, and a canine tooth embedded in its forelimb. Blood tests found that this dog suffered from Babesiosis, a rare blood infection found in breeds associated with dog fighting. In a search of the premises where the dogs resided, law enforcement found paraphernalia associated with dog fighting:  a break stick, slat mill, neck weights, scales, make-shift veterinary supplies like antiseptic for horses, fish antibiotics, medicated feed, IV bags, and a skin-stapler.

            Jackson was arrested on Jan. 24, 2019.

            In announcing the plea and sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Humane Rescue Alliance and the Metropolitan Police Department.  They also expressed appreciation for the work of those who handled the case at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Sabrina Hudgens and Wanda Trice and Victim/Witness Coordinator Maenylie Watson.

            Finally, they commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emmanuel Hampton and Matthew Goldstein, who prosecuted the case, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorneys Monica Dolin, Stephanie Dinan, and Noah Simmons, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Gilmore, who previously assisted in the investigation and prosecution.