HAMPTON, Va. — Attorneys pushed back their prosecution of animal cruelty charges against a former lieutenant with the Hampton Sheriff's Office and her husband.
Carolyn Johnson appeared in court on several animal cruelty charges Monday. Her husband, Michael Johnson, appeared on similar charges, in addition to four counts of dog fighting.
Representatives of the Virginia Attorney General's Office handling the case announced they will not prosecute the couple on these charges at this time. Attorneys could bring the charges back to court at a later time pending new evidence.
The Hampton Police Division originally pressed charges against the two when they found four adult pit bulls and four pit bull puppies in extremely poor health inside their home on Ireland Street.
The dogs were infested with fleas and they had little to no access to water, according to court documents.
During their investigation, detectives said they found paperwork and paraphernalia indicating the dogs were being conditioned for fights.
After the charges were set aside Monday, a spokeswoman for the Virginia Attorney General's Office said, "Despite today's hearing, the investigation remains ongoing and I cannot comment on pending litigation."
When attorneys "nolle pros" a charge, it essentially means they are not fully prosecuting the defendant or defendants on said charge. This means, pending new evidence in their investigation, attorneys still have the chance to bring the charges back to court.
Carolyn Johnson served at the Hampton Sheriff's Office since 1999. She was placed on administrative leave but then retired from her position shortly after she was charged.
As they walked out of court on Monday, Carolyn and Michael Johnson declined to comment to 13News Now. Their attorneys, Tim Clancy and Ron Smith, also declined to comment on the case.
A small group of animal advocates showed up to the court hearing to learn more about the case. The hearing lasted only a few seconds for the attorneys to announce their decision, bringing disappointment on the advocates' faces.
"I'm so disappointed," said Antoinette Weathers who showed up to the hearing. "I can't even imagine the suffering these animals had to endure... I hope eventually that we will find justice, but we did not find it in this courtroom today."