Ehbrin Castro-Correa, Animal Crushing Video Creation, Puerto Rico 2016

Ehbrin Castro-Correa Arrested for Creating Animal Crushing Videos

On March 4, 2016, Ehbrin Castro-Correa, a resident of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for violating 18 USC § 48(b)(1)(B) and (b)(2), the creation of an animal crush video and its distribution in interstate commerce; and 18 USC § 49(a), a violation of 7 USC § 2156(a)(1), which prohibits the sponsoring and exhibiting of an animal in an animal fighting venture, announced United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez.

The arrest warrant was issued by US Magistrate Judge Bruce McGiverin based on a Complaint and affidavit presented on March 5, 2016. This is the first case of this nature presented in the District of Puerto Rico.

According to the affidavit, Castro-Correa arrived at the Pan American Dock (PAD) in San Juan, Puerto Rico in a 2005 white Dodge Dakota pickup truck. Several canines were being transported inside crates located within the pickup truck’s bed area. Castro-Correa presented documentation showing he was the owner of the six canines, Spanish Alano (Spanish Bulldog) breed dogs, 4 male and 2 female.

During a secondary inspection, Castro-Correa was interviewed by HSI Agents. He indicated that he was transporting the canines to the Dominican Republic, that he was paid $800.00 to do so, and that the canines belonged to someone else. Agents were able to inspect Castro-Correa’s cellular phone, which contained three videos, an original six-minute video of a dog fight, and two shorter clips made of that same video.

The six-minute video depicts a fight between two pit bull female dogs, and two men are overheard encouraging the canines to fight. Castro-Correa admitted that he filmed the video recording. The two clips of the original video were transmitted in interstate and foreign commerce using a communications application known as WhatsApp.

In a search of Castro-Correa’s residence, agents found several man-made structures made either of concrete or wood with chicken wire that were used as cages. Other structures were simply made-man pits that did not have any overhead cover exposing the dogs to the elements. The conditions in which the dogs were found were deplorable. Some were chained or tied to a structure, or a cement cylinder block or palet, while others were caged, and/or exposed to the elements.

Ehbrin Castro-Correa, Animal Crushing Video Creation, Puerto Rico 2016

The exact charges against Ehbrin Castro-Correa are 18 USC § 48(b)(1)(B) and (b)(2), the creation of an animal crush video, and 18 USC § 49(a), a violation of 7 USC § 2156(a)(1), which prohibits the sponsoring and exhibiting of an animal in an animal fighting venture.

This is the first case of this nature presented in the District of Puerto Rico. The investigation is ongoing.

Defendant: Ehbrin Castro-Correa

Arrest Date: March 4, 2016

Charge: Violating 18 USC § 48(b)(1)(B) and (b)(2), and 18 USC § 49(a)

Status: Ongoing Investigation

Fine/Fines: No information provided

Prison Time: No information provided

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