SUNRISE, FLA. (WSVN) - Police have arrested a man accused of operating an illegal slaughter house in Sunrise.
Officers arrested 67-year-old Kalito Jones Sunday, charging him with 17 counts of animal cruelty and seven counts of confining animals without proper food and water.
Jones is a resident of Lee County but does stay at a farm in Sunrise from time to time.
According to investigators, Jones would illegally slaughter the animals before taking them to Lee County. Some of the animals were also sacrificed.
The Animal Recovery Mission conducted an undercover investigation where they said they discovered 300 animals, including goats, sheep, cows, dogs and birds, that were malnourished and had not received proper veterinary care.
“They’ve been receiving medical care 24 hours a day by our veterinarians,” said Richard Couto with ARM. “They are extremely sick.”
Investigators discovered various weapons at the farm, they said, which were being used on the animals.
“We found butcher areas,” said Couto. “They were basically right out in the open. They were killing the animals with axes — if you can believe it — with hatchets, with large sharp machetes.”
Several puppies were also rescued from the farm.
“This puppy, along with his brothers and sisters, would have already been tortured and sacrificed in ceremonies,” Cuoto said.
ARM investigators said it took days to retrieve all the animals due to the massive size of the farm.
“This was an illegal slaughterhouse. Animals were being butchered and meat was being distributed throughout the southern part of Florida,” said Couto. “Animals were also being dealt for animal sacrifice, black magic, voodoo, Palo Mayombe.”
Jones is currently being held on a $255,000 bond.
He has also been ordered to stay away from the farm, and he is not allowed to possess or care for animals.
Officials said Jones had a boss, and they are actively searching for him.
If you would like to adopt a rescued puppy, click here. For more information on ARM, click here.
If you have any information on his whereabouts, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.