Baltimore Men Face 23 Charges Over Exotic-Animal Shoots and Mall Garage Fire
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Aug 5
Baltimore Men Face 23 Charges Over Exotic-Animal Shoots and Mall Garage Fire
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 5
Summary
Two Baltimore-area men were charged with 23 misdemeanor and felony counts each after police said they used a lemur, spider monkey and other exotic animals in mall-garage photoshoots that included a ring of fire.
A July 16 sting led to the arrests of photographer Vernon Crowfey III, 32, and animal handler Jayden Evans, 25, after USDA officials confirmed neither held the required federal exhibitor or dealer license.
Charging documents say the animals were brought from North Carolina without a permit, and officers who searched Evans's home found snakes, lizards, rabbits, a tarantula and other animals.
The lemur and spider monkey were sent to the Maryland Zoo after authorities said both primates were kept in improper conditions showing neglect.
Crowfey told local media mall security had allowed the shoot, but the case lands as HBO releases a documentary arguing pop culture fuels demand for exotic wildlife.