LANCASTER – A preliminary hearing began Wednesday to determine if a Palmdale School District administrator will stand trial for child abuse and multiple counts of dog fighting and animal cruelty.
Pauline Winbush, the district’s assistant superintendent for human resources, and her boyfriend, Kevin Ray Williams, are each charged with 17 felony counts of cruelty to an animal, four felony counts of dog fighting, and one felony count of child abuse. The complaint includes seven Los Angeles County code violations, including unsanitary conditions and failing to license and vaccinate the dogs. [View a copy of the complaint here.]
At Wednesday’s court hearing, an animal control investigator testified about what officers found at the couple’s Antelope Acres home.
Sergeant Rachel Montez of the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control said she accompanied a team of officers serving a search warrant Nov. 26 at the couple’s residence in the 7000 block of West Avenue A-14.
On the property, which was overgrown with weeds and debris, the team found 19 pit bulls in various stages of poor health and malnutrition, about 19 dead pigeons decomposing in a coop, two containers of dead mice that had decomposed and were “in pieces,” and a dead puppy in a trash can, according to Montez’s testimony.
Of the 19 pit bulls, 10 were in crates inside the couple’s home, one was inside a garage, and the rest were in kennels outside, Montez said.
One of the pit bulls was locked in a crate beside the bed in a child’s bedroom, and there was an excessive amount of dried feces – about four inches thick – inside the crate, according to Montez’s testimony.
“The feces was being kicked outside the crate every time the dog moved,” Montez said.
The dog had “numerous old wounds to the face, muzzle, ears and chest… and all the wounds were consistent with dog fighting,” Montez testified.
In the master bedroom were three pit bulls, each in a crate lined with three to four inches of feces and without food or water, Montez said. “The crates smelled horrendous because of the excessive amounts of fecal [matter],” she said.
In the den, there were two pit bulls stuffed in feces-lined crates, and one of crates was too small to allow the dog to stand upright, according to Montez’s testimony. She said the crates had no food or water and were surrounded by cobwebs, which suggested that they had not been moved in a long time.
Four crates in a spare room of the house held four 3-month-old puppies, Montez said. A mixture of fecal matter and sawdust was at the bottom of their crates, she added.
Among the pit bulls discovered outside the house was one so emaciated “you could count every rib in her body,” Montez said.
At least four of the 19 pit bulls had old scars, which were consistent with dog fighting, Montez testified.
Montez said she responded to the couple’s residence about five years ago, and there were at least 30 pit bulls on the property at that time. She said she suspected dog fighting activity, but at the time, the department didn’t have the resources to investigate. She said she advised Williams of her suspicions.
“He didn’t deny nor say he was [dog fighting] when I had the conversation with him,” Montez said.
This time around, an investigation began after animal control officers spotted a horse belonging to the couple roaming the streets on Oct. 29.
“It was roaming down 70th west close to Avenue D,” Montez testified. An animal control officer trailed the animal back to the couple’s property, and Montez said she responded to the couple’s home that day.
“What I observed on this property is that there was no containment for this animal,” Montez testified, adding that she impounded the horse. About a month later on Nov. 26, authorities raided the property, prompting the criminal charges.
Also testifying Wednesday was animal control veterinarian Misty Hirschbein, who examined the animals recovered from the couple’s property.
Many of the pit bulls were thin, with dirty coats, dandruff, long nails and a bad odor, according to Hirschbein’s testimony.
Hirschbein will continue to testify when the preliminary hearing resumes Thursday. Other witnesses are expected to be called, as well. At the conclusion of the preliminary hearing, a judge will determine whether there is enough evidence to force Williams and Winbush to stand trial.
Williams has been jailed since his arrest on Dec. 29. Winbush was arrested Dec. 29 and released the next day after posting bond.
If convicted of all charges, both face a possible maximum sentence of 13 years in state prison.
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UPDATE 1/29/15: Winbush, Williams ordered to trial on all charges
During day two of the preliminary hearing Thursday afternoon, the judge heard testimony from Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy Robert Ferrell, who investigates blood-sport crimes.
Ferrell said he recovered a “large quantity” of dog fighting and dog breeding materials from the couple’s master bedroom, including several dog fighting magazines and a handwritten note bearing the address and signature of a known, convicted dog fighter.
Ferrell testified that the four 3-month-old puppies found in separate crates in a spare room were believed to be “future dogfighting dogs” based on their housing conditions.
Boards were placed between the crates to prevent the puppies from seeing each other, Ferrell said, adding that “there was a reason they were kept apart.” The home also contained four treadmills, including a “slatmill,” which Ferrell described as a self-propelled treadmill for exercising fighting dogs.
Ferrell also testified about the unsanitary living conditions at the home. He said the entire home was layered in dirt and dust, the kitchen sink was “covered in a green-black slime,” there was trash everywhere, and there was an “intense, almost overpowering stench.”
“The home was in filthy, filthy conditions,” Ferrell said. “It’s the worst house I’ve ever seen.”
He said Winbush’s minor son was inside the home when authorities served the search warrant, as were Williams and Winbush.
Ferrell testified that he spoke with the couple about their filthy living conditions. Williams said he had gotten lazy and hadn’t gotten around to cleaning up, while Winbush said she had hurt herself and wasn’t able to clean up after the dogs, according to Ferrell’s testimony.
The preliminary hearing concluded Thursday afternoon, with Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Eric Harmon ordering Williams and Winbush to stand trial on all charges.
They’re due back in court Feb. 17 for a second arraignment.
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Previous related story: PSD administrator charged with dog fighting, animal cruelty, child abuse
Sisi says
Hey AV Times! WHAT happened in court yesterday???
Can you keep us updated?????
Betty says
Cruella! Nuf said.
Quigley says
Seems KARMA is knocking on the doors at PSD….
Gallizzi, Corales, Shepherd, Winbush….next???
Ehhh... No. says
Just what politically motivated rubbish are you babbling on about now, Quigley?
Cassie says
How do we find out what room her next court hearing will be in? I would love to be there in show of support of those helpless animals. I hope she never sleeps through the night and the rest of her life is literally hell on earth.
Rgr says
According to LASD inmate information, the next court date is 2/17/15 at A.V. Muni/Supt in Dept.A16.
Gowchong says
In last couple of months some readers were complaining about her being on administrative leave with full pay.
First, that’s the law, and the Palmdale School District is compelled by law to continue paying her her full salary. Remember, under our Constitutional Law, she is innocent until proven guilty. So if the Palmdale School District stopped paying her, they would be likened to assuming guilt without a trial. But there is a good ending to this…
If found guilty, the Palmdale School District can (and will) sue her for all the money they paid her from the time she was arrested and placed on admin leave. The Palmdale School District has already set a precedent in at least one case I am familiar with where an administrator was arrested and convicted. This administrator had to pay back every penny he got when he was placed on paid administrative leave.
She will be going to trial, and certainly with all the indictments against her, she will be found guilty for something.
Just sayin…
lucy says
It makes me wonder about the interviewing and hiring process at Palmdale School District. Maybe they need to take a little more care.
Rgr says
Since children are involved, a thorough background investigation similar to the police or the folks at local aerospace who require security clearances should now be required. Too many instances of teachers being arrested for allegedly hurting the children they are entrusted to protect.
Ive seen it all says
Hiring Process? Every job in the world has a hiring/interview process. Do you think these people admit to having idiotic thoughts? Every profession in the world has a few bad apples from pro athletes, priests, & doctors. No one admits their faults when trying to get a job and most of the stuff people get caught doing wouldn’t show up in an interview or background check anyway! That’s what makes me laugh when I see people try to sue businesses claiming “They should have known their employee was screwing that 14yr old”.
People make conscious choices during the course of they’re lives! You can’t weed that out in an interview!
Quigley says
Exactly! Welcome to the real world!
Jose says
She was the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. Who do you thing was doing the hiring!
Rigo says
They don’t deserve to be free in 13 years and how it is now they will drop a lot of charges and end up getting 5-6 years I say give them 25 to life they don’t have a hart the dogs had to be put down when they were put through all of that suffering do the same to them put them down 25 to LIFE!!!!! I hope there child is good it’s sad how people can do things like that to there own kids. LIFE!!!!!!!!! That is murder in my eyes
Noe says
I so agree with you Rigo.
Never, Never be afraid to do what is right, especially if the well being of a person (in this case the son of this woman) or animal (19 murdered dogs) is at stake. Society’s punishment are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way!
People, stop looking away and do or say something when you see things that are wrong!
We all should know who wrote this a long time ago, I’ll let the readers figure it out.
How crazy is this school district?!? Palmdale School District has teachers that bully the kids and adults, add public humiliation in front of a child’s peer group, this is just FOUL!!!
Teachers, please I implore you to think before more harm is done to our children!!
Don’t undermine their education because you may dis-like the child or the parents! Be professional and if you can’t do that, quit your job and work somewhere else!!! This tells me that certain teachers have zero concept of how too be a professional!!
Schools should be a positive and caring environment for learning PERIOD! Stop playing favoritism with the kids!!! What a very negative school system!!
And for those that voted in Prop 47, you did this to yourselves, so shame on you!
Btw; this is 2015, enough already with the bullying!! SHEESH!!
Delilalala says
HERE’S WHAT BOTHER’S ME:
“Sergeant Rachel Montez of the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control said she accompanied a team of officers serving a search warrant Nov. 26 at the couple’s residence in the 7000 block of West Avenue A-14.”
” Montez said she responded to the couple’s residence about five years ago, and there were at least 30 pit bulls on the property at that time. She said she suspected dog fighting activity, but at the time, the department didn’t have the resources to investigate. She said she advised Williams of her suspicions.”
WHY did it take FIVE years for the DACC to take any action on these scumbags?
This means, that there have been a lot more dogs/animals subjected to the abuse, neglect, suffering, and horrors of dog fighting!!
I also have to wonder about their motivations? Obviously, it wasn’t about any home improvements! So, which drug habit has this been financing, for them?
Ivr Seen It All says
It took five years bcuz of budget cuts. Yes! We find 5million dollars for new Bicycle lanes but not animal control officers. Who’s running the budget?
Prison sentences? Please! You voters were dumb enough to pass Prop 47. Those who still don’t know what that was, the Governor took the TOP 4 Felony Crimes in the state and turned them into misdemeanor’s. So, NO ONE GOES TO PRISON ANYMORE. There’s county jail but at a rate of 20 days per year sentenced! And yes, people passed this!!!
Jay Lepire says
5 years because of budget cuts? Really? Even if they are completely and totally shorthanded on animal control officers, This was known for 5 years. You mean to say that within 5 years that they couldn’t have set aside a couple (and I’m being generous) of days to send someone out to follow up on was was previously seen? Yeah, right.
Mark says
Animal control officials are as guilty has she is for knowing about this and letting it go on for five years.
worthless pricks!
MCG says
This is precisely the problem. They “don’t have resources.” BULL$H!T. They simply don’t care. To these pencil-pushers, animal fighting is a low-level beef and too “hard” to deal with. This mindset is why this evil depravity has been allowed to proliferate. We, as citizens, must NOT accept this scourge on society. The acceptance of animal torture in society ought to scare the hell out of everyone.
Marie says
EXACTLY WHAT I WAS THINKING ! 5 LONG YEARS THOSE ANIMALS AND KIDS HAD TO ENDURE THAT CRUELTY ! YOU CAN’T TELL ME THAT ANIMAL RIGHTS PEOPLE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN CALLED AND THE HUMANE SOCIETY, I BLAME MONTEZ FOR PART OF THEIR SUFFERING!
Quigley says
Update AV Times???
ashlie says
How dare these people go out in the community and represent themselves as educated, civilized human beings. They are total pieces of trash. They do not deserve prison cells, the deserve feces filled crates too small to stand up in.
Marie says
she was a role model to us teachers in the district and if we did something wrong we got our keys taken and written up we get low pay for the job we do
Marianne Perret says
She is on paid administrative leave!!!!!!!!! What a waste of air.
Noe says
Solution regarding pay: Stop paying her and put the money into an account. IF, huge IF she’s found not guilty then they can give her the back pay… This is such a simple solution and why are we not doing this, again?!?
Perhaps those willing to start a petition asking the School District to cease and desist regarding her pay, should be a start. If you’re paying taxes but have no children, you are still paying her with your tax dollars!!!
As a parent and an animal lover, I’m very concerned about this!
This is so sickening. SMH
BigRick says
LOOKS LIKE DOUCHE BAGS FROM THE AV COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE….
im just saying
Saint says
Okay so this is the second time this couple are cought doing the same thing??? Possibly dog fighting, animal neglect, and animal cruelty on top child abuse… They should be punished to the full extend of the law..mercy why obiously they don’t learn or care……
lucy says
She was in a position of power dealing with children and public school issues and was supposed to be making thoughtful decisions. What additional bad decisions did she make in that position.
Rgr says
Absolutely Lucy, because she was the supt. Human Resources, did she have direct access to many people’s personal information (names, addresses, social security numbers)? Can persons in these situations be entrusted with such sensitive information? Just asking
Akay says
i am at least greatful our state will prosecute these cases with felony charges when they can. In southern states the charges are often lower and there is less time give. This is even after all states have the ability to charge felonies. If even a third of the testimony is true I think she will be taking a trip
Becky says
It is horrendous to read all of the dog abuse and neglect claims. I feel for those animals. But it would seem the testimony should have begun with the counts of the child abuse and what happened to the poor child or children. I know those things will be addressed but in this article it didn’t say if a child was in the child bed or at the location when it was investigated. Maybe in a previous article it did. Such a shame for any person or animal that was a victim of abuse and neglect. Breaks my heart.
Mark says
Did she really live in that house?
TC Taylor says
Oh my god. I thoroughly agree. 13 years just doesnt seem hardly enuf punishment especially with the kick out percentage. I totally cannot even begin to understand the mentalities of people that do these kinds of things. They should be punished not by a jury of their peers but how bout the dog”s peers. Sounds silly but sane to me. Things like this angers me to no end. And if the animals were not enuf…. living in those conditions voluntarily is even more disgusting. I hope all the dogs were snatched up and are being taken care of. Even IF they are pits. NOT THEIR FAULTS!!
TC Taylor says
Damn. I just read the previous article. 19 dogs were euthanized. How sad. I hope these fiends recieve what they truly deserve in jail or otherwise.
VXSGuy says
13 years…that’s all. To get through to these animal abusers they should have got one year for each animal and 5 years for the puppy.
cate says
I agree, what about the puppy? He/she should count.
I hope they have to crawl into each crate and scrub it clean with a sponge, soap and water.. And if they don’t fit ? Oh well.. They put dogs in there that didn’t fit.
Joe says
What else can you expect from a Democrat?
Noe says
@Joe, nice one. Bad news, they are Republicons. Next time leave politics out of this. 19 dogs were put down due to neglect, does politics matter?!?, really Joe?? Sheesh! Some people’s children, I tell ya!
Joe, wrong is wrong, no matter what their political views are.
No no says
If you really want to know the implications of an animal abuser’s psychological profile here is some information taken from a research abstract published in The Journal of Interpersonal Violence- http://m.jiv.sagepub.com/
” Female animal abusers scored significantly higher on several measures of criminal thinking, were found to be more likely to bully, and exhibited lower scores on measures of perspective taking and empathy compared to female controls.”
Politics ??
Jay Lepire says
Politics shouldn’t have anything to do with it. Sick minds come in many flavors. How do we know what party they were from?
ck says
oh my…. this is just disturbing!!!! I agree they should clean the crates!!! That’s what’s wrong with America. Everyone else has to clean up after people like this. Punish them the right way and then lock them up!