TOWN OF TONAWANDA, NY – Jamie D. Aaron, 30, Marybeth Aaron, 47, and Marc R. Scholes, 43, were arraigned on Thursday afternoon before Tonawanda Town Court Justice J. Mark Gruber.
Each was charged with 23 counts of Overdriving, Torturing and Injuring Animals, as well as Failure to Provide Proper Sustenance and Failure to Provide Proper Food and Drink to an Impounded Animal. Marc R. Scholes and Marybeth Aaron also face one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
On Tuesday, August 8, the Town of Tonawanda Police Department and SPCA investigators executed a search warrant at the defendants’ residence on Dupont Avenue. They found 22 dogs and one cat living in unsanitary conditions without access to food and water. A 12-year-old child also lived in the house under these conditions.
The three defendants will return to court on Thursday, September 28, at 2:00 p.m. for further proceedings. They were released on their own recognizance, as the charges are not qualifying offenses for bail.
Judge Gruber issued a “no animal” order at the request of the prosecutors. This prevents the defendants from owning or caring for animals while the case is ongoing.
If convicted of the highest charge, the defendants could face up to one year in jail.