Steffen Baldwin, the former director of the Logan County animal shelter and Chief Humane Agent for the Union County Humane Society, has been sentenced to 15 and a half years in prison.
Baldwin, 44, was convicted on multiple charges, including animal cruelty, fraud, bribery, and grand theft.
He faced 53 charges, including the abuse and deaths of 18 dogs.
Prosecutors said Baldwin used his position to deceive donors and euthanize dogs unnecessarily.
They also claimed he raised money for dogs that had already been put down, exploiting the trust of the public.
Witnesses testified to incidents of aggressive dogs being left unrehabilitated, fatal dog fights, and Baldwin allegedly buying a gun to shoot one of the dogs in his care.
The case was delayed multiple times due to changes in Baldwin’s legal team and other legal issues.
In addition to his prison sentence, Baldwin is banned from owning pets.
He will not be eligible for release until he has served at least seven years and nine months.
Prosecutors argued that Baldwin’s actions weren’t just cruel to the animals but also financially fraudulent, using donations meant for the animals as personal funds.
Judge Daniel Hogan noted that Baldwin’s abuse of trust made his crimes even worse.
