August 26, 2010

Skipper due in court Thursday

Pumpkin Center resident Charlie Skipper learned about a month ago three hogs seized from his farm in April were slaughtered...and the meat went to three Animal Services employees.

By Jon A. Mayhew
A Pumpkin Center man, whose animals were seized in April as part of Operation Blue Thunder, is set to be in court on Thursday.

At least 250 animals were seized from Charlie Skipper's farm in early April; Lincoln County officials claim Skipper's animals were "surrendered" through documents signed by Skipper himself.

Skipper, however, says he was forced to surrender his animals, thanks to seven Sheriff's deputies with their hands on their guns as Animal Services Director Jack Kerley read a search warrant.

Kerley has refused to comment on Operation Blue Thunder or even reveal who he has retained as legal counsel. During a terse recent meeting between county officials and The Carolina Scoop, county commission chairman Alex Patton downplayed any chance of wrongdoing by Kerley, Animal Services or Lincoln County.

"You don't know what you're going to get when you serve a search warrant," said county commission chairman Alex Patton.

Kerley and Skipper both confirmed the knock on the door the morning of the seizure surprised Skipper; he was still in his pajamas when he answered the door, discovering Kerley and the deputies.

The county claims once Skipper "voluntarily signed over" his animals, sick and healthy animals were seized including several hogs.


County "saving their bacon?"
The Carolina Scoop recently confirmed three employees of Lincoln County Animal Services claimed pigs seized in early April 2010 from a Pumpkin Center farm were “malnourished” and euthanized.

Instead of properly disposing of the animals, however, a local meat processor said members of Animal Services took the pigs to be slaughtered, with the meat being distributed to at least three members of Animal Services.

Animal Services director Jack Kerley refused to comment to The Carolina Scoop when asked about the issue.

“My attorney has told me not to comment,” said Kerley. He also refused to tell The Carolina Scoop who was representing him.

The Carolina Scoop talked with Kevin Caldwell, owner of Caldwell Meat Processing, who said the hogs were dropped off "sometime in April or May" and picked up starting around May 22.

Receipts provided by Animal Services show the hogs were adopted by the three Animal Services employees in late April. Most of the receipts show employees paid cash.

Charlie Skipper said he learned about what happened about a month ago; however, because he has retained Lincolnton attorney Todd Pomeroy of the Jonas Law Firm, he said he was unable to comment.

“I can't comment either,” said Pomeroy from his office.

Back in April, Lincoln County Animal Services workers, volunteer animal rescuers and volunteers from three fire departments cage 250 animals and carry them off his property, which is located on King Wilkinson Road.

Animal Services served a search warrant after receiving several complaints from neighbors regarding Skipper's brood, which included chickens, dogs, horses, pigs, lovebirds and other animals.

“I was surprised when they knocked on the door,” Skipper told The Carolina Scoop. “I've been raising animals since I was 14.”

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