IJAMSVILLE, Md., (Oct. 4, 2022) — In Defense of Animals, the international animal protection organization, is disappointed in last week’s sentencing of a man who was charged with child pornography and bestiality.

Jason Havelt, who was originally charged with 16 offenses of child pornography, animal cruelty, and weapons, was sentenced to 39 years in prison, with all but 12 years to serve. After release, he will be on supervised probation with special conditions. Havelt’s trial was to begin on Oct. 3, but his attorney negotiated a plea bargain last week.

Havelt was charged with seven arms charges for possessing firearms and ammunition with prior convictions, seven counts of animal cruelty (bestiality), and possession of child pornography with the intent to promote and distribute its contents. Of the 39 years Halvelt was handed, the arms charges took precedence over the child pornography and animal cruelty charges.

In Nov. 2021, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office detectives were tipped that Havelt was abusing animals, which led to a five-month investigation. A USB drive provided to investigators exposed photos of Havelt sexually assaulting his dogs. More evidence of animal torture was also found on Havelt’s three phones, in addition to recordings of child pornography, including acts with animals, on other devices.

On March 17, 2022, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on Havelt’s residence in Ijamsville. Havelt was charged with 16 crimes which could have put him away for life. 

Two German shepherds were removed from the home and placed with Havelt’s parents. 

According to the Maryland State’s Attorney’s Office, “Havelt will serve 5 years of supervised probation upon release, with all standard conditions and certain special conditions such as a psycho-sexual evaluation, mental health evaluation/testing/treatment as directed, computer monitoring, forfeit the firearms and ammunition, he cannot own or possess any animals, and animal control is allowed to conduct random checks. The replevin agreement says he is not allowed within 100 feet of his parents’ home where the dogs are now.”

In Defense of Animals sent a letter with 16,900 supporters’ signatures to Frederick County State’s Attorney, J. Charles Smith III, seeking maximum sentencing. 

“The most dangerous offenders victimize innocent children and animals who trust them for affection and to care for their welfare. This case was truly disturbing, but we’re grateful to the State Attorney for protecting the animal survivors. In Defense of Animals supporters will be pleased their voices were heard, and this person will no longer be able to harm the most vulnerable members of our society,” said Doll Stanley, Justice for Animals campaign director for In Defense of Animals. 

Animal abuse is strongly linked with the abuse of other vulnerable members of society. In Defense of Animals campaigns to get justice for animals and assists law enforcement and prosecutors in tackling animal abuse to prevent future harm to animals and people. 

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In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Campaign has saved thousands of animals, assisting through cruelty investigations, strengthening laws, and enforcing animal cruelty statutes and ordinances in the mid-south for 29 years.

Contact: Doll Stanley, doll@idausa.org, (662) 809-4483

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization based in Marin County, California, with over 250,000 supporters and a 39-year history of fighting for animals, people, and the environment through education and campaigns, as well as its hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi. www.idausa.org/justice4animals

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