Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
Remote Poe Road Location West of Lake Pierce Concealed Ongoing Crime
An investigation into a report of animal cruelty resulted in five arrests by the Polk County Sheriff's office Sunday. Investigators found seven horses abused but alive, but sadly, one already dead when they arrived at the remote location on Poe Road, north of Canal Road in unincorporated Lake Wales.
Thunder, a two-year-old stallion owned by Barbara Suarez, celebrated after being released from a small stall in a dark barn and never turned out to pasture.
According to a press release, "PCSO received a tip regarding two horses in a field that appeared to be malnourished. The horses were found by deputies in the following conditions: one was extremely skinny, with its rib and hip bones visible."
Another was found lying on the ground "in its own feces, unable to lift its head, and barely breathing - this horse succumbed to its severe neglect and was deceased by the time detectives arrived."
Three of the other horses were neglected and in poor condition. Other livestock, including eight horses, 11 goats, and two sheep, were seized by PCSO and will be rehabilitated.
A young stallion named Thunder celebrated its release from a small stall by galloping wildly around a small enclosure, to the delight of investigators.
Joemanuel Nunez-Suarez, who owned the property, told detectives that he had been taking care of the animals for a friend but found that it was too expensive to feed them. He reportedly told deputies that he had asked the owner to come get the animals three months ago.
Nunez-Suarez was placed under arrest and charged with felony animal cruelty (F3), animal cruelty (M1), and three counts confining animals without proper food, care, and sustenance (M1).
There were several adults and children living in various structures on the site. Detectives reportedly found numerous environmental hazards on the property. Piles of solid waste, including rotting household trash, scrap metal, old appliances, waste wood, and tires, were scattered about the site.
Detectives located a trough filled with a mixture of antifreeze and gasoline, leaking into water that the animals were then drinking. Two suspects, Jorge Almeida Rodriguez and Idanys Queveto, were charged with environmental crimes.
Two suspects, Barbara Suarez and Hennycha Rosa Rosa, were charged with resisting arrest. Suarez reportedly owned one of the horses and was additionally charged with animal neglect.
Barbara Suarez was charged with resisting arrest and animal cruelty by Polk County Sheriff's investigators.
Jorge Almeida Rodriguez was charged with environmental crimes after investigators reportedly found a trough filled with a mixture of antifreeze and gasoline, leaking into water that the animals were then drinking.
Idanys Queveto was charged with environmental crimes related to the refuse and contaminated drinking water found on the property.
Hennycha Rosa Rosa was charged with resisting arrest.
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