Deputies in Lee County, Florida arrested a man Thursday after a local resident made the gruesome discovery of two severed cat heads on top of their mailbox, police reported.
Robert James Luther III, 36, was identified as a suspect after Fourth Precinct Crime Section detectives and the Animal Cruelty Task Force processed the scene, collected evidence, and canvassed the area. The investigation began on March 13 when Fourth Precinct deputies responded to a home on Carnoustie Court in Bonita Springs following a criminal animal complaint, according to Lee County Sheriff’s Office press release. A resident found a box containing two severed cat heads placed on top of their mailbox and immediately contacted law enforcement.
“Heinous violent acts, especially toward innocent animals, is beyond unacceptable and any offender will face severe consequences to the fullest extent of the law,” Sheriff Carmine Marceno said. Using investigative tools, including License Plate Readers and the Real Time Intelligence Center, detectives placed Luther III near the crime scene at the time of the incident. Later that day, deputies found him fishing near a closed business on Corporation Circle. When questioned, he invoked his rights, the press release stated.
Search warrants, including one for DNA, were executed. Investigators found evidence linking Luther III to the crime, including disturbing cell phone videos in which he mentioned and depicted the deceased cats. Based on this discovery, detectives established probable cause for his arrest, according to the press release. (RELATED: Couple Accidentally Ships Pet Cat To California In An Amazon Return Package)
Luther III faces two counts of aggravated animal cruelty and two counts of aggravated stalking, both felonies under Florida law, the press release stated. Sheriff Marceno commended the efforts of the dispatchers, patrol deputies, detectives, and the Animal Cruelty Task Force, stating their swift actions ensured the suspect was taken into custody before further harm occurred.
