Charges dropped against Marion County man charged with fatally shooting 600-pound pig
A man scheduled to go to trial on charges that he fatally shot a 600-pound pig in the face multiple times because it squealed too much won't face a jury, after all. Prosecutors have decided to stop pursuing the case.
State Attorney's Office officials said there was evidence that the animal may have been abandoned before it was shot. Prosecutors also said that they had insufficient evidence to prove their case at trial.
Samuel Villanueva Jr., 25, had faced charges of aggravated animal cruelty, grand theft and grand theft of a motor vehicle.
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The motor vehicle charge had previously been dropped. Villanueva was slated for jury selection in front of Circuit Judge Anthony Tatti on Monday for the aggravated animal cruelty and grand theft charges.
At issue: A Dec. 11, 2021 incident
According to a Marion County Sheriff's Office report, deputies were called to the 8400 block of Southeast 128th Lane in Summerfield on Dec. 11, 2021, about a disturbance.
A woman told deputies when they arrived that she used to live at the residence with her 600-pound pig. She said she had a verbal agreement with Villanueva, the new owner, that she could keep her pig on the property and she would be allowed to come and feed the animal.
The woman said when she went to feed her pig, she noticed that Villanueva had blood on him and he told her to leave. She said he got in her vehicle and drove it off the property. He returned, got in his vehicle and left, according to the woman.
The report states that deputies found the pig dead on the property. A deputy interviewed Villanueva, who gave different reasons on why the pig was deceased.
Villanueva later confessed to the deputy, telling the law enforcement official that he shot the pig in the face numerous times because of it squealing too much in the mornings.
The deputy arrested Villanueva and transported him to the Marion County Jail. Records show he was released from the jail on Dec. 12 after posting a $5,000 bond.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb.
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Prosecutors in Ocala, Florida drop charges in death of 600-pound pig
