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STEFFEN EVAN BALDWIN, former Union County humane agent, sentenced for animal cruelty

Writer: voiceforusvoiceforus
Mar 153 min read

- Ohio, USA -


So many people have been waiting for this….


On March 13, 2025, in Union County Common Pleas Court, Franklin County Judge Daniel Hogan sentenced 44-year-old STEFFEN EVAN BALDWIN (pictured) for animal cruelty, bribery, and other charges.


BALDWIN, alias STEFFEN FINKELSTEIN, is co-founder of the Underdog Alliance in California, former chief humane agent for the Union County Humane Society in Ohio, and former executive director of Top of Ohio Pet Shelter in Logan County also in Ohio.


Union County Court of Common Pleas records show that BALDWIN was facing fifty-three counts in total, several relating to animal abuse.


According to prosecutors, BALDWIN, who once presented himself as an animal rights activist, misled supporters into believing he was rescuing and rehabilitating dogs, instead, he needlessly euthanized innocent dogs and kept raising money for the Voiceless Victims he had already put down.


During the trial, prosecutors argued that BALDWIN used his position to deceive donors and described him as a manipulative figure. Prosecutors also said that BALDWIN euthanized at least eight dogs to make space for others he was paid to train.


Judge Hogan sentenced BALDWIN to fifteen and a half years in prison, with twenty-three days of jail credit. BALDWIN will not be eligible for release before serving at least seven years and nine months. After serving prison time, BALDWIN will be placed on a five-year probation during which time he is to be subject to random drug screening, to be ineligible to leave Ohio, and to be ineligible to own a firearm.

Additionally, the judge imposed an indefinite ban on BALDWIN “owning” companion animals in the state of Ohio.


Investigators say BALDWIN’s crimes date back years, but the case would never have come together without the help of Angelo and Litsa Kargakos, furparents of Remington, known as Remi.


Back in 2020, 10TV interviewed Litsa and Angelo. The couple said that in 2016, they reached out to BALDWIN and he was prepared to work with Remi. Litsa and Angelo gave BALDWIN $1,000 and placed their baby Remi in his care.


10TV reports that within months, Litsa “saw red flags” and asked BALDWIN to see Remi “to check on his progress but was always denied.”


The situation got to the point where Litsa threatened to go to the county commissioners if she didn’t hear from BALDWIN and she and Angelo put up posters offering a reward for more information about Remi’s whereabouts.

Only at that point BALDWIN contacted Litsa and Angelo and asked them for a mediation session with an attorney to explain what happened.


Litsa recounted the devastating facts and told 10TV: “He fabricated a story and stated that Remi broke out of his kennel and that he attacked and killed another dog, and then he had to euthanize Remi due to the wounds. I didn’t believe any aspect of the story at that point, and he said that he had to euthanize Remi due to the horrific wounds that he had, and we came to find out that Remi didn’t have one mark on him when he was euthanized.”


Litsa and Angelo created a Facebook Group in honor of their baby Remi, Justice 4 Remi. Part of a post published after BALDWIN’s sentence read: “We can finally close this chapter of our lives and begin to heal from the loss of Remi. I know that Remi did not die in vain. I know that Remi’s death triggered the investigation that helped 18 total dogs get justice against the monster who stole their lives. I know that because of Remi Steffen Baldwin will be serving a substantial prison sentence. I know because of Remi no more animals will be hurt under Steffens care.”


Just like Litsa, I too wish BALDWIN would have gotten life in prison!


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Voice For Us Disclaimer: Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.


BALDWIN’s mugshot shared from the Tri-County Regional Jail




 
 
 

LAGASHIA SHANTE WILLIAMS and GRACIELA AMAR charged with animal cruelty in a dog kicking incident

Writer: voiceforusvoiceforus
Mar 82 min read

- California, USA -


The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office announced animal cruelty charges against 18-year-old GRACIELA AMAR and her mother 46-year-old LAGASHIA SHANTE WILLIAMS (both pictured).


It all started with a dispute between the two females and a neighbor.


The incident took place on February19, 2025, when the neighbor was in his own driveway washing a car and was approached by AMAR and WILLIAMS. The females began yelling at the neighbor and at one point WILLIAMS brandished an imitation gun. The neighbor then picked up one of his two dogs who were outside with him. As he turned around to go inside the house, WILLIAMS told AMAR to kick the small dog who was still outside, Gigi. And so she did. AMAR walked over to Gigi and violently kicked him/her making the pup fly into the air.


That despicable action was caught on surveillance camera and the video went viral on social media. In the video, Gigi could be heard crying in pain. The furvictim suffered liver and leg damage from the kick.


The Pittsburg Police Department investigated the incident and with help from the public it was possible to identify AMAR and WILLIAMS.


On February 27, 2025, police arrested mother and daughter and charged them with cruelty to an animal and brandishing an imitation firearm. WILLIAMS was additionally charged with making a false report to peace officers.

WILLIAMS had called 911 to report that the neighbor had a gun, “a claim that proved to be false”, stated the release by the DA’s Office.

AMAR and WILLIAMS were booked into the Martinez and West County Detention Facilities.

On March 1, 2025, the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office released WILLIAMS after posting $172,500 bail. AMAR was released the following day after posting also $172,500 bail.


According to the DA’s Office, if convicted, both could be sentenced to a maximum of ONLY three years in county jail and fined up to $20,000.


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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Contra Costa District Attorney’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.


Racial comments and comments excusing, defending, and/or justifying the vile action of kicking an innocent dog will be deleted and their author banned! This is a plain case of animal cruelty and NOTHING else matters!!!


Pictures shared from the Pittsburg Police Department




 
 
 

GERARDO ANGEL GUZMAN arrested for beating his dog with a wooden weapon

Writer: voiceforusvoiceforus
Feb 102 min read

- California, USA -


The Visalia Police Department announced the arrest of 29-year-old GERARDO ANGEL GUZMAN (pictured).


Police said in a press release that on the afternoon of Friday, February 7, 2025, officers were dispatched to a home in the 300 block of NE 2nd Street after receiving a report of animal abuse.


Upon arrival, officers were shown a video in which GUZMAN could be seen beating his dog with a wooden weapon.


The police tell me the dog is a 2-year-old male black Heeler mix named Jay.


When officers attempted to contact GUZMAN, he barricaded himself inside his home and began to threaten the officers. At some point GUZMAN exited the residence to assault officers but was caught and placed under arrest.


Animal Control removed Jay from the home and according to the press release, he suffered minor injuries. I have emailed Animal Control to inquire about Jay’s wellbeing and if I get a response, I will post an update.


GUZMAN was transported to Kaweah Health for medical clearance and was later booked into the Tulare County Adult Pre-Trial Facility on charges of animal cruelty, battery on a peace officer, suspicion of resisting, and delaying or obstructing an office by force or threat of force.


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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Visalia Police Department. 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.


GUZMAN’s mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office





 
 
 

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