SEAGROVE N.C. – A Seagrove man is facing multiple charges related to cruelty to animal following a joint investigation by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office responded and Randolph County Animal Services.
On June 5th, 2023, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office responded with Randolph County Animal Services to Little Beane Store Road in Seagrove, to a reported animal cruelty incident.
The Sheriff’s Office sent out Crime Scene Investigation and Criminal Investigations to collect evidence for Randolph County Animal Services.
According to a press release, the investigation led to Randolph County Animal Services seizing the dogs on the property and identified Keontai Javon McKenzie as a suspect.
McKenzie was charged with felony kill animal by starvation. Under North Carolina Law, § 14-360-1(a), “If any person shall maliciously kill, or cause or procure to be killed, any animal by intentional deprivation of necessary sustenance, that person shall be guilty of a Class H felony.”
McKenzie was also charged with five counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals.
The magistrate found probable cause and issued the warrant and on July 20th, 2023, McKenzie was located by the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Apprehension Team, arrested, and transported to the Randolph County Jail where he was served his outstanding warrants.
Keontai Javon McKenzie
- Felony kill animal by starvation
- Misdemeanor cruelty to animals
$5,000 secured bond