Orangeburg man pleads guilty to burning puppy alive
ORANGEBURG, S.C. (WOLO)– A 29-year-old Orangeburg man has pleaded guilty to animal crushing, says the DOJ.
Image: Department of Justice (D.O.J.)
Image: Department of Justice (D.O.J.)
Evidence obtained during the investigation revealed that on Dec. 18, 2024, the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a Facebook Live video showing Desmond Levon Brown throwing a puppy into a fire that day.
Deputies discovered the deceased puppy in a wooded area near the incident location.
Federal law enforcement obtained the Facebook video, which showed Brown holding the puppy above the fire, dropping it into the fire, and repeatedly kicking the puppy into the fire, burning it alive, says the DOJ.
Further evidence showed that the fire, which was started by Brown’s associate, was made using rum.
After his arrest, Brown was recorded on jail calls admitting to burning the puppy, says the Dept. of Justice.
Officials say this is the first known Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (PACT Act) conviction in South Carolina.
“Brown’s gruesome torture of a puppy was heinous,” says U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “He showed no mercy in his crime, and we look forward to his sentencing. Our office will lead the fight to protect the welfare of animals in South Carolina.”
Brown faces a maximum penalty of seven years in federal prison.
He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and three years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment.
