- voiceforus
- Aug 2, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 3, 2023
- Florida, USA -
~ Update: August 3, 2023
I have heard back from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office and learned that “The suspect disposed of the dogs.” The email also stated: “We will provide training so that in the future, deputies know the animals must be collected for a necrospy to be conducted.”
In a subsequent email, I was told that the furvictims were one male and one female (pictured).
~ Original story:
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office arrested 49-years-old ERIC ANTONIO ROBERTS (pictured) on two counts of aggravated animal cruelty and possession of cocaine.
On July 29, 2023, deputies were dispatched to a mobile home on 123 W. Honeysuckle Street in DeFuniak Springs to carry out a check-in on a sex offender. While on the scene, deputies noticed a foul odor emanating from the residence. According to the arrest report, the odor “was consistent with the smell of death.”
As stated in the report, it appeared the residence was bolted and boarded shut.
The trailer front door had a padlock on it, the back door appeared secured with either screws or nails, the windows were either boarded up or covered with drapes, and there was a significant amount of mail accumulated within the mailbox.
According to the report, several attempts over the course of the month to contact ROBERTS were unsuccessful.
Deputies spoke with ROBERTS’ mother who lives at a different address and she told them that her son had called her about a month ago and said he was going to stop by to bring his two dogs.
Given the unsuccessful attempts to contact ROBERTS, and the foul odor emanating from the house, a deputy made the decision to enter the home based on exigent circumstance. Once inside, the deputy saw two dogs, who appeared to be Pitbulls, shut inside a kennel together. Sadly, the dogs were deceased. The furvictims had steel chain around their necks connected with a padlock. The poor souls did not have access to food or water, and there was no air conditioning turned on. In fact, as stated in the report, it appeared there was no electricity inside the property. The deputy also found a padlock on the back door.
Before deputies left ROBERTS' home, his mother arrived to get her son's mail. She told deputies that as she was making her way there, she saw her son near the Exxon at 435 US Highway 90.
Deputies were then able to make contact with ROBERTS and he confirmed he had two dogs at Honeysuckle Street. He told deputies he had been at the home two days ago.
As ROBERTS was being placed under arrest, he tried to reach inside one of his pockets where deputies found a glasses case with cocaine inside.
Records show ROBERTS was released after posting a $15,000 bond.
His court date is set for September 19, 2023, at 8:30 a.m.
I have sent several emails to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office to inquire about the Voiceless Victims. Neither the press release nor the arrest report mentioned what happened to them. It’s unclear whether Animal Control was called in and I do not have additional information. I will post updates as I know more.
Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.
Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.
ROBERTS’ mugshot shared from the Walton County Sheriff's Office.
Additional Source:
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