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Animal Shelter Investigation Special Section
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New Shelter Director Introduced At Embattled Facility
- New Animal Shelter Director Introduced
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- Memphis Animal Shelter Vigil
- Vigil at shelter 11/5/2009
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- New Animal Shelter Director Hired
- Animal Shelter Workers Indicted
- Animal Shelter Emergency
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FAST FACTS:
UPDATE February 18, 2010 10:37 PM: Former Memphis Animal Shelter Director Ernest Alexander posted a $25,000 bond and is now out of jail. He left the Shelby County Jail shortly before 10:00 PM Thursday.
He held his hand up and said he had no comment as he made his way to a car parked along Poplar Avenue.
When asked whether he felt he owed the taxpayers who paid his salary some type of comment, he said "no", got into a waiting car, shut the door and the driver took off.
UPDATE 3:18 pm 2/18/2010: Former Memphis Animal Shelter Director Ernest Alexander is back in Memphis and has been processed through the Shelby County jail. No trial date has been set.
UPDATE 9:15 pm 2/5/2010:
Former Memphis Animal Shelter Director Ernest Alexander has been arrested in Albuquerque, NM. Alexander is one of three indicted yesterday on charges of animal cruelty.
According to police, "Alexander did not resist arrest and told officers he knew authorities were looking for him."
Alexander last work in Albuquerque before coming to Memphis.
FAST FACTS:
danya.bacchus@wreg.com
(Memphis 02/05/2010) Thursday, we learned three former Memphis Animal Shelter employees had been indicted.
Former Veterinarian Angela Middleton and Supervisor Tina Quattlebaum were arrested.
"That third individual is Ernest Alexander, who is former shelter supervisor," said Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons.
Under state law, officials can't release the name of someone indicted until that person is in custody. Unless they're having a hard time finding them, which was the case for Alexander.
"We followed up on his address on numerous occassions, contacted people he has connections and are now putting the word out," said Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell.
Alexander's attorney told us his client expected to turn himself in to deputies next week, saying Alexander is currently out of town. When he gets back he, like the other two, will be facing six counts of animal cruelty.
"We're talking about three individuals who were the top administrators at the animal shelter, responsible for making sure those policies and practices were in place," said Gibbons.
Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons says they'll be able to show a broad pattern of animal cruelty at the shelter. They're basing the case on three autopsy done by that ASPCA that showed dogs died because of starvation. However, they say those were not isolated incidents.
"It was more than just animal cruelty. It was the whole operation at the animal shelter and the deficiencies that we found that also had to be investigated," said Gibbons.
A spokesperson for Gibbon's office said they have been in contact with Alexander's attorney. They advised him that his client needs to turn himself in immediately.
- Alexander Posts Bond
- Quickly Exited Jail
- Had no Comment for the Public
UPDATE February 18, 2010 10:37 PM: Former Memphis Animal Shelter Director Ernest Alexander posted a $25,000 bond and is now out of jail. He left the Shelby County Jail shortly before 10:00 PM Thursday.
He held his hand up and said he had no comment as he made his way to a car parked along Poplar Avenue.
When asked whether he felt he owed the taxpayers who paid his salary some type of comment, he said "no", got into a waiting car, shut the door and the driver took off.
UPDATE 3:18 pm 2/18/2010: Former Memphis Animal Shelter Director Ernest Alexander is back in Memphis and has been processed through the Shelby County jail. No trial date has been set.
UPDATE 9:15 pm 2/5/2010:
Former Memphis Animal Shelter Director Ernest Alexander has been arrested in Albuquerque, NM. Alexander is one of three indicted yesterday on charges of animal cruelty.
According to police, "Alexander did not resist arrest and told officers he knew authorities were looking for him."
Alexander last work in Albuquerque before coming to Memphis.
FAST FACTS:
- Former Memphis Animal Shelter Director Indicted
- Ernest Alexander was arrested in New Mexico
- Alexander worked in Albuquerque before coming to Memphis
danya.bacchus@wreg.com
(Memphis 02/05/2010) Thursday, we learned three former Memphis Animal Shelter employees had been indicted.
Former Veterinarian Angela Middleton and Supervisor Tina Quattlebaum were arrested.
"That third individual is Ernest Alexander, who is former shelter supervisor," said Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons.
Under state law, officials can't release the name of someone indicted until that person is in custody. Unless they're having a hard time finding them, which was the case for Alexander.
"We followed up on his address on numerous occassions, contacted people he has connections and are now putting the word out," said Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell.
Alexander's attorney told us his client expected to turn himself in to deputies next week, saying Alexander is currently out of town. When he gets back he, like the other two, will be facing six counts of animal cruelty.
"We're talking about three individuals who were the top administrators at the animal shelter, responsible for making sure those policies and practices were in place," said Gibbons.
Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons says they'll be able to show a broad pattern of animal cruelty at the shelter. They're basing the case on three autopsy done by that ASPCA that showed dogs died because of starvation. However, they say those were not isolated incidents.
"It was more than just animal cruelty. It was the whole operation at the animal shelter and the deficiencies that we found that also had to be investigated," said Gibbons.
A spokesperson for Gibbon's office said they have been in contact with Alexander's attorney. They advised him that his client needs to turn himself in immediately.
