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Writer's picturevoiceforus
Jul 27, 20233 min read

MICHAEL A. JOHNSON SR., wed to Hampton Sheriff’s Office Lt. Carolyn Johnson, accused of dogfighting

Updated: Sep 27, 2023

- Virginia, USA -


~ Update: September 27, 2023


On Monday, September 25, 2023, 59-years-old MICHAEL A. JOHNSON SR. and his wife, 58-years-old CAROLYN W. JOHNSON (both pictured), appeared in Hampton General District Court on animal cruelty charges that were filed against them in July 2023.


In July, the Hampton Police Department arrested MICHAEL A. JOHNSON SR. and charged him with animal cruelty and dogfighting after four adult Pitbulls and four Pitbull puppies were found living in poor health and unsafe conditions at the couple’s home on Ireland Street.

Detectives also recovered evidence suggesting that the dogs were being conditioned for fights.


Shortly after the arrest, police announced that the defendant’s wife, CAROLYN W. JOHNSON, had also been charged in connection with the case, with eight counts of Failure to Provide Duties of Ownership and eight counts of Animal Cruelty.

At the time, she was a Lieutenant with the Hampton Sheriff's Office. After she was charged, she was placed on administrative leave and then retired.


13NewsNow reports that on Monday, all the charges were pushed back.

“Representatives of the Virginia Attorney General's Office handling the case announced they will not prosecute the couple on these charges at this time. Attorneys could bring the charges back to court at a later time pending new evidence”, reports 13NewsNow.


All the misdemeanor charges filed against CAROLYN W. JOHNSON were nolle prossed, a Latin phrase meaning “to be unwilling to prosecute.”

All the charges filed against her husband, two of which are felonies, were also nolle prossed.

Pending new evidence in their investigation, attorneys still have the chance to bring the charges back to court.


I emailed Victoria LaCivita, spokeswoman for the Virginia Attorney General's Office and asked her: “In addition to the poor conditions the dogs and puppies were found in, would you please disclose what new evidence is required to bring back the charges and prosecute the defendants?” To that, Ms. LaCivita responded: “Despite the hearing, the investigation remains ongoing and I cannot comment on pending litigation.”


I am not just angry and disappointed; I am also extremely confused as to how the investigations were conducted and what importance was given to the evidence recovered from the couple’s residence. Once again, we have Voiceless Victims without justice!




~ Update: July 27, 2023


According to a press release by the Hampton Police Department, 58-years-old CAROLYN JOHNSON has also been charged in connection with this case. She is facing eight (8) counts of Failure to Provide Duties of Ownership and eight (8) counts of Animal Cruelty.



~ Original story:


Following a complaint submitted to the Hampton Animal Response Team (HART) on July 25, 2023, the Hampton Police Division arrested 59-years-old MICHAEL A. JOHNSON SR., accused of dogfighting.


The Virginian-Pilot reports that JOHNSON is married to Lieutenant Carolyn Johnson of the Hampton Sheriff’s Office.


HART officers responded to a home on Ireland Street near Phoebus High School but JOHNSON did not allow them to perform a welfare check on his dogs so a search warrant was obtained and executed.

Officials found eight dogs, four adult Pitbulls and four Pitbull puppies, living in poor health and unsafe conditions.


WAVY reports that according to court documents, “The dogs had rough and raw skin and were covered in fleas. The animals ears’ were bleeding because of fly bites.”

The Voiceless Victims were being kept in kennels covered with feces.


Inside a shed, officers found evidence consistent with preparing dogs for fighting and inside the home they found “documents and items associated with breeding and conditioning a dog”, reports WAVY.


Police said that JOHNSON has been charged with eight (8) counts of Animal Cruelty, eight (8) counts of Failure to Provide Duties of Ownership, and four (4) counts of Dogfighting.


JOHNSON was released on a meager $5,000 bond. A condition set by a judge is that no animals are to be in the residence until the court authorizes otherwise.

Court records show that JOHNSON is scheduled to appear at Hampton General District Court on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at 8:30 a.m.


The Hampton Animal Response Team removed all eight furvictims and took them to the Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter. Needless to say, I have emailed PRAS to inquire about the furbabies’ well being and if I hear back, I will post an update.


The investigation is ongoing.


JOHNSON, get a job instead of using innocent dogs to make a living!


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.



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Writer's picturevoiceforus
Jun 8, 20232 min read

CARL RUDOLPH LENTZ arrested – Twenty-eight animals found dead and forty-seven live ones removed

- Virginia, USA -


Augusta County Sheriff Donald L. Smith announced the arrest of 59-years-old CARL RUDOLPH LENTZ (pictured).


According to a press release by the sheriff’s office, on June 2, 2023 Augusta County Animal Control received an anonymous call about the living conditions at a property in the 700 Block of Augusta Farms Road. “A citizen had recently purchased a dog from this location”, stated the release.

Animal Control and the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation and when officers responded to the location, they found two dogs who appeared to be living inside a vehicle. According to the sheriff’s office, the vehicle was covered in feces, there was no food or water for the dogs, and the temperature inside the vehicle was 89.6 degrees.

As a result of the extreme temperature, Augusta County Animal Control removed the two Voiceless Victims.


As stated in the release, on the property there were several other dogs who appeared to be in poor condition so with the assistance of the sheriff’s office, Augusta County Animal Control obtained a search warrant.


Sadly, throughout the property officers discovered twenty (20) dead cats and eight (8) dead dogs.


As for the live animals, officers found and removed thirteen (13) cats, twenty-eight (28) dogs, and six (6) ducks. Four of the cats had to be euthanized and one dog had to have his/her leg amputated.

The sheriff’s office said that a temporary emergency shelter has been established by Augusta County at the Government Center in Verona to house all the rescued furvictims.


LENTZ, of Waynesboro, was arrested Friday, June 2, 2023, on one felony count of animal cruelty. On June 5, 2023, an additional five felony charges of animal cruelty were obtained and served by the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office.


LENTZ is being held without bond at Middle River Regional Jail.

Online court records show that he is due back at Augusta General District Court on July 11, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.


Sheriff Smith advises those who may have “purchased any animals” from LENTZ or have knowledge of the living conditions at this location, to contact the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office at (540) - 245 - 5333 and reference report number 2023-0001669. Thank you.


The sheriff further said that this is still an ongoing investigation and no additional details will be released at this time.


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.



LENTZ’s mugshot via Middle River Regional Jail.


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Writer's picturevoiceforus
Jun 5, 20233 min read

Luck of the Irish Animal Rescue’s staff face charges after hundreds of animals were found mistreated

- Virginia, USA -


Following a months-long investigation into the mistreatment of innocent animals at Luck of the Irish Animal Rescue in the Town of Round Hill, more than a hundred (100) animals were rescued by Loudoun County Animal Services (LCAS) and more than a dozen criminal charges have been filed against the organization’s staff.


A press release by the Loudoun County Government identified the individuals who are facing charges as 51-years-old KIMBERLY T. HALL (pictured – Via Linked In), 50-years-old NICOLE METZ, and 22-years-old ALEX HALL.


According to the release, in February 2023, authorities responded to a call for service at a home in Round Hill. Once on the scene, they noticed “a large number of animals living in deplorable conditions” so LCAS were alerted and an investigation was launched.


The inspection inside the residence led Humane Law Enforcement Officers to find forty-two (42) animals who “were housed in a manner that threatened their health and safety.”


As stated in the release, a search of the HALL’s residence, “which appeared to be one of the sites from which the animal rescue was being operated, found all of the home’s floors covered with feces and urine. Officers also found most of the animals were confined to crates, some of which were stacked on top of each other. Many of the animals needed veterinary care.”


As part of the investigation, a search warrant was also executed at METZ’s home, “which is located next door. Conditions in both locations were found to be unsanitary, hazardous and consistent with hoarding.”


On February 16 and February 17, 2023, a total of hundred and two (102) animals were removed and transferred to LCAS, including twenty-eight (28) cats, seventy (70) dogs, two (2) rabbits, and two (2) parakeets.


As a result of the investigation, KIMBERLY T. HALL, who served as the organization’s director of operations, was charged with eight counts of animal cruelty and two counts of failure to acquire a certificate of veterinary inspection.


NICOLE METZ, who served as the executive director of the Luck of the Irish Animal Rescue, which was formerly known as Paw & Hoof Animal Rescue, was charged with seven counts of animal cruelty, two counts of failure to acquire certificate of veterinary inspection, one count of allowing an animal with a contagious disease to roam, and one count of obstructing justice.


ALEX HALL, who was formerly the organization’s director of marketing, was charged with eight counts of animal cruelty.


The release further stated that: “In addition to charges of animal cruelty, Kimberly Hall and Metz are alleged to have brought animals into Virginia without the required documentation for the importation of the animals. The Humane Law Enforcement Officers’ investigation revealed text messages that indicate Hall, Metz and their associates brought a number of animals from out of state to shelters in Northern Virginia, including cats with contagious diseases and dogs that had attacked or killed other dogs, inaccurately claiming them to be strays found in the local community. These communications have prompted a search for the whereabouts of approximately 100 additional animals that were received by the rescue from various sources and are presently unknown. Some are presumed to be buried in the suspects’ yards based on their communications and the execution of additional search warrants by officers that substantiated this finding.”


On April 7, 2023, an initial civil hearing resulted in the Luck of the Irish Animal Rescue being dissolved, and METZ being prohibited from serving as staff or a volunteer for any animal-related business or nonprofit for a period of ONLY one year.


On the morning of Wednesday, July 12, 2023, KIMBERY T. HALL and NICOLE METZ are scheduled to face charges in General District Court.


Chris Brosan, Chief of Humane Law Enforcement, said: “This case is particularly disturbing because the individuals involved are the very people who were entrusted by overwhelmed pet owners and rural shelters to look out for the welfare of animals. Our investigation shows that they knowingly kept the animals in filthy conditions and allowed their health to suffer, while continuing to acquire more animals.”


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.



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