Virginia correctional officers accused of dog fondling won't be prosecuted

By: Media General News Service | GoDanRiver.com
Published: November 19, 2009

RICHMOND, Va. -- The five correctional officers charged in October with animal cruelty for fondling a K-9 dog and videotaping the incidents will not be prosecuted.

Powhatan County Commonwealth's Attorney Robert B. Beasley Jr. decided last week not to follow through because he believed the cruelty charges would not stand up in court, he said yesterday.

"I heard from a couple of veterinarians who told me that, in their opinion, it didn't rise to the level of cruelty," he explained. "One of them told me that no harm can come to the animal through doing that."

Beasley initially filed charges after consulting with the state veterinarian's office.

"When your burden is proof beyond a reasonable doubt, I came to the conclusion that if you have reputable veterinarians in disagreement over the issue, you're not going to be able to prove it in court."

The officers -- one of whom was accused of having sexual contact with the dog while the others watched and filmed -- were training at the Academy for Staff Development in Goochland County to become K-9 handlers.

The incidents took place between June 16 and Aug. 1 across the James River at the Powhatan Correctional Center where the kennels are located, Beasley said.

Initially charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty were Kelvin Thompson, 25, of Chatham; Melvin Boone, 40, of Waverly; and Adam R. Webb, 27, Cheri Campbell, 35, and Anthony Eldridge, 33, all of Burkeville.

Eldridge and Boone no longer work for the Department of Corrections, though the department would not say whether they were dismissed or left voluntarily. Thompson, Webb and Campbell have been removed from the canine program but remain employed by the department.

Terry N. Grimes, a Roanoke attorney representing Thompson, who was accused of fondling the animal, said that the others put him up to it, claiming it would allow him greater control over the dog.

Bestiality in Virginia falls under crimes against nature, which is a felony charge but requires "carnal knowledge" of an animal, implying intercourse.