Former city mayor granted temporary stay of sentence on animal cruelty conviction

El Centro Superior Court allowed former city mayor Jason Jackson to stay out of jail for now – thanks to a last minute appeal.

Thomas W. Storey, Jackson’s attorney, said, “We have a stay until next week. And next week the court will make a determination as to whether we have a stay until after the appeal or not.”

Jackson, convicted on animal cruelty charges regarding his horse, filed the appeal to fight the jail time and for the right to keep his cat. Under probation rules he cannot keep or live with any animals for 5 years. His attorney said the horse has been sold.

“The horse is the victim. So, you would protect the victim. You would take the victim out of the harm’s way,” Storey said.

He said Jackson has hired a special attorney to fight for his constitutional right to keep his cat, which is not a victim in this case.

“The cat is a separate issue. It was not taken care of at the same time, same place for anything. And it goes to your constitutional right to possess property. He has an appellate attorney that will be looking at that,” Storey said.

Dr. Mohammed Asiad, friend and supporter of Jackson, said the jail sentence is excessive and unjust.

“I think it’s unfair for Mr. Jackson to serve any time. He should be given a warning. It was his first time, I believe. A citizen like this should be given the benefit of the doubt,” Asiad said.

City of El Centro told KSWT they have no comment regarding how the jail sentence may affect Jackson’s position in the city council.

Jackson goes back to court next week on September 7 th .

We reached out to the district attorney’s office for comment but they were not available.

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