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DAVID WILSON RIVERA JR, ex-New Canaan cop, sentenced for role in killing dogs at Black Rock Canine

- Connecticut, USA -

 

On July 8, 2024, 36-year-old DAVID WILSON RIVERA JR (pictured), former New Canaan police officer and owner of Black Rock Canine, was sentenced in Waterbury Superior Court for his role in the death of many dogs at his business.

 

It all started in April 2022, when the Naugatuck Police Department was notified by the Department of Agriculture, the Stratford Police Department, the Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Squad, and the State Police Bomb Squad about an investigation into RIVERA as a New Canaan police officer.

 

Naugatuck Police then began an investigation into Black Rock Canine, a facility on Hunters Mountain Road in Naugatuck aimed at training military and police dogs. The facility was housing thirty-six dogs. In connection with this investigation, Naugatuck Police arrested in May 2022, RIVERA, his father, DAVID RIVERA SR, and general manager 35-year-old DANIEL TAYLOR LUNA (both also pictured).

 

RIVERA JR and LUNA turned themselves in on May 2, 2022.

 

LUNA was accused of abusing numerous dogs and puppies, leaving puppies outside in harsh weather elements leading to their death, and shooting dogs who were “useless” to the business.

 

RIVERA JR. was charged with conspiracy to commit cruelty to animals, reckless endangerment in the first degree, and conspiracy to commit euthanization of a canine.

 

At that point, RIVERA was already facing explosive charges. He had been arrested after explosives were found at his Stratford home. RIVERA used the explosives in his business training working dogs for various organizations and according to the warrant, he had no permit for the possession of the high explosives and also had an assault weapon.

 

On May 3, 2022, Naugatuck police executed another search and seizure warrant at Black Rock Canines and removed the thirty-one (31) remaining dogs. The furvictims were placed in the care of different shelters. Officials also discovered the remains of four dogs on the property.

 

During a press conference, Naugatuck Police Chief Colin McAllister said that several dogs were abused and injured while at Black Rock Canine and that RIVERA and LUNA shot and killed at least ten dogs and buried them on the property.

 

For his malicious wounding or killing of an animal charge RIVERA was sentenced to five years, suspended after two years with three years of probation to follow.

For the reckless endangerment charge, he was sentenced to 364 days in jail to be served concurrently.

In total, RIVERA will serve three years in jail followed by three years of probation.

 

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

 

 

RIVERA’s mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Connecticut Department of Correction


Sources:




KADESHA WILSON arrested for severely neglecting her dogs

Updated: Oct 20, 2024

- Connecticut, USA -

 

~ Update: June 21, 2024

 

BARC CT announced that Shadow has passed away.

 

In a Facebook post the shelter said that Shadow “succumbed to his horrific injuries from intentional prolonged starvation and [abuse]” by his guardian, KADESHA WILSON.

 

Part of the post read: “We believed his recovery was just off to a slow start. We hoped. We prayed.” According to BARC CT, on June 14, 2024, Shadow was rushed to the VCA by his foster mom Lynnann after he vomited and she felt something was “off.”

 

As BARC CT wrote: “The VCA vets and staff believed in your recovery [and] went above and beyond to give you the best chance at a [brand-new] life.”

 

Let me take this opportunity to remind you that WILSON’s next court date is July 12, 2024.


 

~ Original story:


The Waterbury Police Department arrested 29-year-old KADESHA WILSON (pictured).

 

According to the arrest warrant obtained by Voice For Us, on May 20, 2024, officers were dispatched to a residence at 10 Maley Place after receiving an animal cruelty complaint.

Police said in their press release that officers responded to the aforementioned address on May 29, 2024.

 

The complainant, who at the time wished to remain anonymous, told police that there were dogs at the residence who were malnourished and being kept outside in a cage under a tarp.

 

Responding officers were met by a male who stated that there was one dog at the house who was outside and claimed that the dog “was sprayed by a skunk.” The male then told officers that the dog’s guardian was not there at the house.

The arrest warrant stated: “Without further information, and the fact the complainant was anonymous, Officers left the scene at that time.”

 

On June 10, 2024, the Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) was made aware that BARC CT (Bridgeport Animal Rescue Crew), rescued two dogs from the residence on Maley Place.

The furvictims, a male Pitbull named Shadow and a small female dog named Jada, were found in an abandoned car parked in the rear of the residence. The vehicle was covered in feces and urine.

 

According to the arrest warrant, the person who reported WILSON to the police, had been staying at 10 Maley Place where she witnessed the neglect and abuse inflicted on Jada and Shadow. The complainant said she witnessed WILSON physically hit the dogs and added that she did not ever see WILSON feed the dogs. The complainant told police that she even offered to buy food for the dogs but WILSON declined.

Moreover, the complainant told WILSON that her boss was willing to take the dogs and even offered her money but WILSON refused to give up the dogs.

The complainant said that WILSON put Jada and Shadow in the abandoned vehicle after the police had been there.

 

Finally, on June 7, 2024, WILSON told the complainant that she could take the dogs. The complainant was in contact with BARC CT and the shelter was willing to take them in. It was the complainant that was able to rescue Jada and Shadow from the car and BARC CT has been caring for them since.

 

Shadow was visibly malnourished with his ribs/bones showing and was rushed to the vet. He was also dehydrated and unable to process food.

 

Based on the poor condition of Jada and Shadow and WILSON’s admission that she was their guardian, detectives obtained a warrant for WILSON’s arrest.

 

WISLON was located and placed under arrest on June 13, 2024, and charged with two counts of animal cruelty. She was arraigned at Waterbury Superior Court and bond was set at $15,000.


As I was reading the updates on Jada and Shadow that BARC CT shared on their Facebook page, I learned that there was a third dog at Maley Place whom the police did not mention in their press release. The arrest affidavit does not mention a third dog being at the house either.

According to BARC CT, the missing dog is a female Pitbull.

As you can imagine, Shadow’s medical care is costly and if you can afford and wish to help out, please click here. Thank you!

 

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Waterbury Police Department and court documents. 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.

 

 

Jada and Shadow’s pictures shared from BARC CT

 

WILSON’s mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Waterbury Police Department



Arrests made after live cats and dogs and a dead dog found in deplorable conditions

Updated: Oct 20, 2024

- Connecticut, USA -

 

The Ansonia Police Department arrested 26-year-old ASSANTE COVERSON and 30-year-old JAVON COVERSON (both pictured).

 

According to the Department’s press release, on June 6, 2024, officers and detectives executed a search warrant at a property on 22 Condon Drive in connection with an unrelated criminal investigation. During the search, officers discovered several dogs who were emaciated and needed urgent medical attention. Police said the status the dogs were found in indicated “severe neglect.”

 

According to court documents obtained by Voice For Us, with the assistance of Ansonia Animal Control and Woodbridge Animal Control, eleven (11) dogs and three (3) cats were removed from the property. The poor souls were found to be living in “deplorable, inhumane, and dangerous conditions.”

 

Sadly, one dog was found deceased. The deceased dog was discovered “in the rear of the property in a garbage bag on a wheelbarrow,” stated the document. Police said the furvictim’s body will be sent to the University of Connecticut so that a necropsy can be performed to determine the cause of death.

 

The live dogs were taken to the Ansonia Seymour Veterinary Hospital for treatment.

The document identified the Voiceless Victims as:

 

Bonnie

Connie

Donnie

Ferrna

Gucci

Kora

Lotta

Lucy

Milo

Mona

Naya

 

As stated in the document, veterinarians advised Ansonia Animal Control Officers that “the condition of the injured dogs was serious, and that they had low body health scores, and displayed signs of abuse, mistreatment, and severe injury but not limited to: malnourishment; low body weight; feces and urine burns; ear infections; conjunctivitis; ocular ulcers, and flea infestation.”

 

According to medical reports, the dogs “appear to have been neglected or cruelly treated”, so the City of Ansonia’s Animal Control Department took custody of them “to safeguard their welfare.”

 

Police said that despite efforts to save the dogs, sadly two of them were euthanized “due to their extreme medical conditions.”

 

Police charged ASSANTE COVERSON with:

Cruelty to Animals

Failure to Comply with Dog Ownership Requirements

Failure to Comply with Rabies Control Ordinances

 

A ridiculous $1,000 bond was set which he was able to post so he is free.

He is scheduled to appear at Derby Superior Court on June 14, 2024.

 

JAVON COVERSON is facing:

Eight counts of Cruelty to Animals

Seven counts of Failure to Comply with Dog Ownership Requirements

Seven counts of Failure to Comply with Rabies Control Ordinances


Bond set for him was $10,000 which he posted and he is also free.

The court date set for him is for June 20, 2024, at Derby Superior Court.

 

So far, the investigation has led to the arrest of these two individuals but police said that more arrests are to be expected.

 

The court document stated that the Ansonia Police Department determined that all twelve (12) dogs are “owned” by:

 

LORRIE MCINTOSH-COVERSON (owner of the property)

ASSANTE COVERSON (resident)

JAVON COVERSON (resident)

LAKEYA COVERSON (resident)

HEZEKIAH JOHNSON-COVERSON (resident)

 

The document further stated that the Ansonia Police Department also determined that all twelve (12) dogs were “severely neglected, injured and/or abused” by:

 

LORRIE MCINTOSH-COVERSON

ASSANTE COVERSON

JAVON COVERSON

LAKEYA COVERSON

HEZEKIAH JOHNSON-COVERSON

 

Police said anyone with additional information regarding this case can contact Det. Troesser at (203) - 735 - 1885. Thank you!

 

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Ansonia Police Department and court documents. 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 shared from the Ansonia Police Department


Additional Source:



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