SCREVEN COUNTY, Ga. () – The Screven County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) has arrested a 73-year-old man following multiple reports of animal cruelty.

According to Screven officials, multiple complaints were submitted regarding cruelty towards livestock. A search warrant was obtained to search the property. Once on scene officers found two dead cows along with 11 more cows and two goats that were all malnourished.

Following the search, SCSO arrested Jonathan Clarence Roberts.

The local animal control, local veterinarian and Department of Agriculture were called in to provide a further investigation of the property. Once the investigation was concluded, it was determined that Roberts had failed to provide adequate food and water to the animals. During the investigation, additional cow carcasses were uncovered that Roberts had simply left to decompose.

The remaining livestock was seized and transported to a new location where they would be properly taken care of.

Roberts is currently charged with:

• 2 counts of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals
• 11 counts of Animal Neglect
• 1 count of Abandonment of a Dead Animal