2 Men Indicted After Child, 19 Puppies, Guns, Found In Car On LI: DA

WARNING: Some readers may find the image of the puppies graphic.

WYANDANCH, NY — Two North Carolina men were recently indicted for charges of having a 2-year-old child sitting near two loaded guns and unlawfully confining 19 pit bull puppies in neglectful conditions in a car in Wyandanch, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

On Sept. 1, at about 7:10 p.m., Suffolk County Police officers observed Russell Brown, 67, and Jamar Belle, 28, inside a 2022 Jeep Compass parked in a lot on Merritt Avenue, according to the investigation.

Inside the Jeep, police discovered a total of 19 pit bull puppies confined in two containers, the DA said. Nine of the puppies were placed in a plastic bin on the back seat, and 10 were placed in a rusted crate in the trunk of the Jeep, prosecutors said.

The officers inspected the puppies and saw that they were covered in urine and feces, and noted there was a strong odor of excrement emanating from the vehicle, officials said.

They were also without access to food, water, or clean air, prosecutors said.

The puppies were about five to six weeks old, and their mother was not present to nurse them. They were then taken for veterinary treatment and evaluation, prosecutors said.

All 19 puppies will become available for adoption once they are of age, an animal shelter recently told Patch.

Officers also discovered a two-year-old child in the backseat of the vehicle next to the puppies.

When they searched inside the vehicle further, police found two loaded firearms in the back seat near where the 2-year-old child had been seated.

Child Protective Services was contacted to evaluate and place the two-year-old child in protective care, prosecutors said.

"The alleged actions of these defendants represent a despicable level of disregard for the well-being of not one, but two of our most vulnerable populations: animals and children," said Tierney."While the victims in this case cannot advocate for themselves, we will. To those who think they can get away with such abuses, take note. The abuse and neglect of animals and children will not be tolerated in Suffolk County."

On Sept. 14, prosecutors said Brown was indicted for:

• Two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon
• Two counts of criminal possession of a firearm
• 19 counts of neglect of an impounded animal
• 10 counts of carrying an animal in a cruel manner
• One count of endangering the welfare of a child
• One count of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance

On Monday, prosecutors said Belle was indicted for:

• Two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon
• Two counts of criminal possession of a firearm
• 19 counts of neglect of an impounded animal
• 10 counts of carrying an animal in a cruel manner
• One count of endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.

On Sept. 14, at Brown’s arraignment on the indictment, Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei, ordered that he be held on $50,000 cash, $100,000 bond, or $500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case, the DA said.

Brown is due back in court on Oct. 12.

Patch reached out to the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society, who is representing Brown, for comment.

On Monday at Belle’s arraignment on the indictment, Judge Mazzei ordered that he be held on $15,000 cash, $40,000 bond, or $70,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case, the DA said. Belle is due back in court on Oct. 19.

John LoTurco, Belle's attorney, said in an email that his client is presumed innocent, and "once the true facts are revealed" he believes it will demonstrate that Belle had "no criminal culpability" in the matter.

"We contend that it is critical to note, that the toddler was not our client’s child nor under his supervision," LoTurco said. "Moreover, our client immediately cooperated with the investigators, and agreed to turn the puppies over for adoption rather than challenging the state. In the end, we are hopeful that a resolution can be reached that will reflect our client’s cooperation and lack of criminal conduct."

The Fund for Animal Cruelty Treatment of Suffolk, Inc. (FACTS) has also partnered with Suffolk County law enforcement to provide much-needed assistance for victims of animal cruelty. FACTS has committed to providing financial assistance for the puppies in this case. To find out how they are helping these animals, and how you can help too, visit FactsSaves.org.