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Update
Scottsdale man arrested in New Mexico tied to animal cruelty charges
Located after not appearing for sentencing
(Photo courtesy Scottsdale Police Department)
Lester Richmond
Posted
Lester Richmond has been arrested in New Mexico in connection to an animal cruelty case in Scottsdale.
On Tuesday, July 30, Richmond failed to appear for his sentencing hearing at Maricopa County Superior Court, according to a press release from Scottsdale Police Department (SPD). He previously took a plea for a C6 felony for animal cruelty. SPD and animal cruelty investigators with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO) were attempting to locate him.
“Through investigation, on Thursday, Aug. 1, MCAO Detective Heather Krimm received information that Lester Richmond and Heather Auditor were currently at a truck stop in Las Cruces, New Mexico,” the release continued. “Las Cruces PD was advised, and Lester Richmond was located and arrested. He is being held in New Mexico awaiting extradition to Arizona.
Background
Scottsdale Police arrested 35-year-old Lester Paul Richmond and 32-year-old Heather Auditor for their involvement in an animal cruelty case that left a husky puppy dead and discarded in a Scottsdale alley near Miller Road and Latham Street in late June of 2023. According to the press release, the pair was originally arrested during a traffic stop near Miller Road and Pierce Street. Detectives later served a search warrant at their residence and, during the service of the warrant, detectives found additional evidence related to the case.
Scottsdale Police started the investigation on June 27 after the puppy’s body was found by someone walking through the alley, the release explained. The puppy appeared to have had its mouth taped shut. In the following days, investigators conducted an investigation that included canvassing the neighborhood, interviewing neighbors and looking for surveillance cameras that may have captured the area the puppy was found.
“Scottsdale detectives discovered a surveillance video showing Richmond’s vehicle in the alley during the timeframe the puppy was left there,” according to the release. “They were able to identify him as the registered owner. After identifying Richmond as a potential lead, investigators were able to obtain video surveillance of Richmond and Auditor talking about getting rid of the puppy.”
Richmond was originally booked and held in custody at the Maricopa County Jail for one count of Animal Cruelty.
