- Arizona, USA -
~ Update: August 9, 2024 – New Mexico, USA
On August 1, 2024, 33-year-old HEATHER AUDITOR and 36-year-old LESTER PAUL RICHMOND (both pictured), were tracked down and located at a bus stop in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
RICHMOND was arrested after he failed to appear at his sentencing hearing on July 30, 2024. He is being held in the Doña Ana County Detention Center and awaiting extradition to Arizona.
The duo were arrested back in July 2023, in connection with the death of an innocent Husky who was found with his/her mouth taped shut and had a cord wrapped around his/her neck.
AUDITOR and RICHMOND were booked at the Maricopa County Jail each on one count of animal cruelty. Additionally, AUDITOR was charged with one count of hindering prosecution.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell then sent the case back to the Scottsdale Police Department for additional review, and RICHMOND was released.
In December 2023, the Maricopa Attorney’s Office indicted RICHMOND on one count of intentionally subjecting a domestic animal to cruel mistreatment, a class five felony. Under Arizona law, a class five felony is the highest level of punishment for animal abuse a person can face.
However, when the Maricopa Attorney’s Office attempted to proceed with the case, RICHMOND could not be found, a search was issued to locate him, and Maricopa County Attorney Mitchell reached out to the public for assistance (Video).
On February 16, 2024, RICHMOND was located and arrested in Troy, Alabama.
Back then, Maricopa County Attorney Mitchell said in a press release: “My office is grateful to the Scottsdale Police Department, the public, and the Troy Police Department for their efforts in bringing this defendant to justice. His extradition is expected in the next 30 days, once he is in Maricopa County we can proceed with prosecution.”
And now he is in New Mexico…….
Well, what can I say? If you keep releasing him, what do you expect?
RICHMOND’s mugshot shared from the Doña Ana County Detention Center
~ Original story:
The Scottsdale Police Department arrested 32-years-old HEATHER AUDITOR and 35-years-old LESTER PAUL RICHMOND (both pictured) in connection with a Husky puppy who was found dead in June 2023.
In a news release police said that an investigation was launched on June 27, 2023, after the puppy’s body was discovered by someone who was walking in an alley near Miller Road and Latham Street in Scottsdale. Police said the furbaby appeared to have his/her “mouth taped shut.” Scottsdale Police tells me the puppy was estimated to be eight-twelve weeks old. His/her name and gender could not be confirmed.
As part of the investigation, police canvassed the neighborhood, interviewed residents, and looked for surveillance cameras that may have captured the area where the Voiceless Victim was found. Eventually, they were able to find a video depicting RICHMOND’s vehicle “in the alley during the time frame the puppy was left there”, stated the release.
Not only were investigators able to identify RICHMOND as the registered owner of the vehicle, but they were also able to obtain video surveillance of him and AUDITOR talking about getting rid of the puppy.
AZFamily reports that court paperwork states that security video from a neighbor showed the driver of the car with an AZ Pet Friendly license plate turning into the alley with his arm out of the window while holding a cord that touched the ground. At the end of the cord was an “object” the same shape and size as a puppy that was being dragged along. The vehicle stopped for a few seconds in the same spot where the furbaby was found. The driver was RICHMOND.
Police said AUDITOR works as a cashier at a Circle K nearby on McKellips, and after the incident, security footage from inside the store showed RICHMOND saying: “I dropped our friend off little ****”.
Police said AUDITOR and RICHMOND were arrested on Thursday, July 20, 2023, during a traffic stop near Miller Road and Pierce Street.
Later on, a search warrant was served at their residence where additional evidence relating to the case was collected. The red tape used to muzzle the puppy’s mouth was found at the couple’s home.
According to AZFamily, RICHMOND denied his involvement in the death of the puppy but AUDITOR admitted the puppy was hers and that she had brough him/her home a month prior.
AUDITOR and RICHMOND were booked at the Maricopa County Jail each on one count of animal cruelty.
Additionally, AUDITOR was charged with one count of hindering prosecution.
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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.
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 Scottsdale Police Department.
Maricopa Attorney’s Office - December 20, 2023 - Public’s Help Needed in Finding Man Accused of Mistreatment of Puppy
Maricopa Attorney’s Office - February 21, 2024 - Man Accused of Mistreatment of Puppy Arrested
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