Robert Starkweather Sentenced On 12 Animal Cruelty Counts

LABELLE, FL. -- Robert David Starkweather, 52, of Immokalee, was sentenced today for Aggravated Animal Cruelty. He was found guilty on January 31, 2020 of 12 felony counts of Aggravated Animal Cruelty following a four-day trial in Hendry County.

This morning the defendant’s motion for a new trial, motion for arrest of judgement, and motion
for judgement of acquittal were all denied by the Honorable Judge James Sloan. The State Attorney’s Office asked for a sentence of 45 months in prison followed by 5 years of probation as well as adjudication of guilt on each count. The State Attorney’s Office also asked for the sentence to include a condition of probation that Starkweather not be allowed to possess or care for cattle or other animals, plus court costs, and restitution.

The Honorable Judge Sloan adjudicated Starkweather guilty on two of the counts and withheld adjudication on the remaining counts. He was sentenced to 5 years of probation and 90 days in jail as a condition of probation. The defendant must also do 100 hours of community service, pay court costs, and restitution. Starkweather must report all fields where he has cattle so that agriculture units can check the pastures quarterly to report any issues to probation.

The evidence in the case showed that during late 2017 and early 2018, the defendant owned 144 cows and calves that he had in a pasture off Ft. Denaud Road in LaBelle. In March 2018, the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office Agricultural Crimes Unit responded to the pasture after getting a report about a downed cow. Deputies found 13 dead cows and 131 emaciated cows and calves at the scene.

The evidence presented at trial showed the defendant failed to provide adequate food, water, and medication to the animals. Further, he ignored signs, over a four-month period, showing the cows were in distress and suffering from malnutrition. The animals were taken by the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office from the location.

The State Attorney’s Office filed a total of 131 counts involving animal cruelty and animal abuse. There was one charge for each living animal. There were also 13 counts filed for Improper Disposal of a Dead Animal. The jury was presented photographs of every animal found on the property. They deliberated for more than four hours before returning the guilty verdict for the 12 felony counts of Aggravated Animal Cruelty.

Assistant State Attorney Kimberlee Mitton prosecuted the case