A press release from the Pennsylvania State Police announced that 11 people have been charged with animal cruelty for alleged inhumane treatment of turkeys at seven Pennsylvania farms.
Criminal complaints allege that the defendants kicked, stomped and beat turkeys at farms in Chester, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, Perry and Union counties.
The defendants were employed by Plainville Farms, a New Oxford, Pennsylvania-based company. The investigation began in August 2021 and resulted from a complaint filed by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. A PETA employee witnessed the actions of the turkey catchers.
“This was a lengthy, detailed investigation that involved reviewing a lot of evidence at multiple locations,” said Corporal Michael Spada, animal cruelty officer in the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. “I’d like to thank the outside agencies for their involvement and Plainville Farms for their cooperation.”
The charges include six felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, 76 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty, and 57 related summary offenses.
The defendants are identified as Bryce P. Washington, 26; Miguel Turi Cantellano, 65; Juan Turi Baeza, 37; all of McSherrystown; Jason K. Turner, 22; Bryiant O. Perez-Paez, 40, both of Hanover; Francisco M. Lebron-Cruz, 39, of Thomasville, Jose E. Turi Baeza, 29, of New Oxford; Kevin L. Wagaman, 49, of Fayetteville; Mitchell E. Buckley, 23, of Aspers; Christopher S. McArdle, 37, of Gettysburg; and Joseph Nunez Rosario, 41, of York.
