Former El Centro Mayor charged with one felony count

Former Mayor of El Centro Jason Jackson has been charged with one felony count of cruelty to an animal.

Our news team reached out to the former mayor for comment but he declined to make a statement as he has been advised not to, however we were able to speak his attorney and the district attorney’s office handling the case.

“As a result of the felony account it carries a maximum sentence of three years in state prison. Of course we’re denying the allegations very strongly; I think in fact what has occurred here is some misperception and perhaps a misunderstanding given all the facts and circumstances. And when those facts and circumstances are known I think people will come to a very different conclusion,” said Ryan Childers, Attorney at Law.

When the initial report came out back in February, Jackson requested a vet examine the horse.

According to Childers, in those findings the vet concluded that there was no animal neglect.

The horse, whose name is raider…is twenty years old and is currently still owned and cared for by Jackson.

“Based upon all the facts that were gathered by, like I said a very thorough investigation by the sheriff’s department, we do believe that this is a case where the animal in question was not given proper nourishment which is the obligation of everyone who owns an animal,” explained Heather Trapnell, Senior Deputy District Attorney.

A preliminary trial is set for December 16th and the preliminary hearing will be held on January 9th.