BELINDA DAWN MEYER, JONATHAN SHANE MEYER, CHARLES EDWARD DEVORE JR., and VIRGINIA KATHLEEN NEWTON charged after neglected dogs were found in a Walkertown home

- North Carolina, USA -

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office announced that 46-year-old CHARLES EDWARD DEVORE JR., 58-year-old BELINDA DAWN MEYER, 31-year-old JONATHAN SHANE MEYER, and 30-year-old VIRGINIA KATHLEEN NEWTON (all pictured), were charged with animal cruelty.

On February 26, 2026, investigators with the sheriff’s office were at a residence in the 6000 block of Cain Forest Drive in Walkertown to serve a warrant on an unrelated matter.                                                                            

At the residence, investigators discovered “multiple dogs with health issues, along with deteriorated living conditions,” said the sheriff’s office in its press release.

A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office tells me fourteen (14) dogs were found at the residence.

The Animal Services Division of the sheriff's office stepped in and assumed the investigation. The agency removed the dogs and took them to the Forsyth County Animal Shelter.

Due to the conditions found inside the residence the occupants were charged with the following:

CHARLES EDWARD DEVORE JR. has been charged with two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals.

BELINDA DAWN MEYER has been charged with nine misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals.

JONATHAN SHANE MEYER has been charged with two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals.

VIRGINIA KATHLEEN NEWTON has been charged with one misdemeanor count of cruelty to animals.

Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby F. Kimbrough, Jr. said in a written statement: “The work we do would not be possible without the assistance of the District Attorney Jim O’Neill and the collaboration of the community. It should be noted that the FCSO will not tolerate the cruel and inhumane treatment of our animals, and we will make sure that these offenders are brought to justice.”

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

Mugshots provided to Voice For Us by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office.

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