Last spring, we asked our supporters to ask for the strong prosecution of two individuals who were running a backyard slaughterhouse in Florida. Despite thousands of signatures of support for the victims, the perpetrators were given extremely weak sentences by Circuit Judge Michael Heisey in St. Lucie County, Florida.

In May 2023, Animal Recovery Mission (ARM) investigators followed up on a Craigslist ad offering live animals and meat for sale, which led them to two connected properties cooperatively operating illegal slaughterhouses where investigators witnessed an “inhumane act” and caught it on video.

A six-month investigation dubbed “Operation Lebo” followed, which uncovered horrifying animal cruelty, including animals living in squalor, violations of the Humane Slaughter Act, and evidence that was related to animal fighting and ritualistic slaughter activities. About 150 animals were saved and are receiving lifetime care at an ARM sanctuary.

Last February, the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office, along with a task force of county, state, and federal agencies, executed an animal rescue operation. Miguel Cabrera was arrested and charged with animal cruelty. In March, Ysairis Gonzalez was also arrested and charged with animal cruelty after a search warrant was executed in connection to the case.

We launched a petition and upon its closure we sent a letter with the signatures of 13,604 In Defense of Animals supporters to State Attorney Thomas Bakkedahl calling for the maximum sentencing for each of the defendants. He argued for stiff sentencing, which we commend him for.

On January 29, 2025, despite the efforts of State Attorney Thomas Bakkedahl, Cabrera was sentenced to a mere three years of probation and 30 days in county jail, which he will not serve as the Circuit Judge Michael Heisey gave him credit for time served. He avoided trial and pleaded nolo contendere (no contest) to cruelty to animals and was found guilty. His sentence runs concurrently for each charge.

Gonzalez also avoided trial and pleaded guilty to cruelty to animals, yet Circuit Judge Michael Heisey withheld adjudication and sentenced her to three years of probation with no jail time.

Even with overwhelming evidence of torture and cruelty, documented at great cost to ARM, the judge’s decision failed to deliver justice for the victims in this case.

To express your sincere concerns regarding the sentencing in the animal cruelty case, you can contact Circuit Judge Michael C. Heisey at:

• Mailing Address: 
  213 Courthouse Addition
  218 South Second St.
  Fort Pierce, FL 34950
  
  
• Phone: (772) 462-8856
  
• Judicial Assistant Email: SLCJudge5@circuit19.org

Please refrain from hostility or threats and ask that future cases of animal abuse be met with the punishment they deserve.

Despite the outcome here, we won’t stop speaking out for animal victims of cruelty, and you can help by visiting our Justice for Animals campaign and taking action.

Donations to support our work on this issue are always needed and appreciated.