2 women face animal cruelty charges after dozens of horses found dead in San Joaquin County

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23-05-2025

Two women were arrested and face numerous charges in an animal cruelty investigation launched after dozens of horses were found dead on several San Joaquin County properties.
Jan Johnson and Justine Fitzhenry, both of Clements, were arrested Wednesday by the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office.
Johnson is charged with 23 felony counts and 18 misdemeanor counts. Of the felony counts, 20 are for animal cruelty and three are for possession of an illegal firearm and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. All 18 misdemeanor counts are tied to animal neglect and cockfighting, according to the criminal complaint filed Wednesday in San Joaquin County Superior Court.
Fitzhenry is charged with three felony counts of animal cruelty and one misdemeanor count of animal neglect, according to the complaint.
The investigation began in August 2024 and spanned at least three properties in the Clements area, about a half hour northeast of Stockton. That month, sheriff's deputies conducted a welfare check at Johnson's property after residents raised concerns about animal neglect. During the welfare check, Johnson allegedly threatened to shoot the deputies, according to the complaint.
The case stalled until January, when deputies shut down a cockfighting ring at a property Johnson owns in Lodi.
Deputies then executed a search warrant at one of Johnson's three properties on Jan. 22 and found 27 dead horses. There were also several malnourished horses on the premises with limited access to food or water.
The next day, deputies searched two additional properties and found dead 53 horses, one cow and one dog. The sheriff's office said they also discovered at least 90 horses and three alpacas that were all malnourished. A bull, a donkey and 13 horses had to be euthanized because of their condition.
Johnson, 62, was arrested on Jan. 22 and booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on suspicion of criminal threats, cruelty to an animal, possession of a short-barrel shotgun, and threatening a public official. She was released on bail the same day.
The sheriff's office continued to investigate, leading to Johnson's second arrest this week and the arrest of Fitzhenry, whom Johnson identified as her assistant in a 2012 Record article.
San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow said Thursday that authorities wanted to ensure every animal abused in the case was represented.
"I know this has taken a long time, but we wanted to get it right, and every single one of these animals that were tortured deserve our respect and our passion in investigating this," Withrow said. "We don't allow this to happen in San Joaquin County. We don't want it to happen anywhere in our state or our country, and we're going to hold people accountable that do that."
At a news conference Thursday, San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas declined to provide specifics about the alleged abuse the animals endured at the hands of Johnson and Fitzhenry.
When asked by a reporter why it took so long to bring charges, Freitas said it was a multi-agency investigation.
"These are very difficult cases. We have to look into the facts and the conditions of the animals, and document every single one," Freitas said. "Working full time with the sheriff's department, animal services and the district attorney's office, we were able to reach these conclusions and are very proud that we're filing these charges."
Johnson and Fitzhenry were both released from the San Joaquin County Jail on bail Thursday. Johnson posted $500,000 bail, and Fitzhenry posted $100,000 bail, according to sheriff's spokesperson Heather Brent.
Freitas told reporters he was disappointed the women were able to post bail.
"Bail is set by the judges who are elected by the people and appointed by the governor in this state," Freitas said. "We hope to be able to address bail at the arraignment."
Johnson and Fitzhenry are scheduled to appear June 6 in San Joaquin County Superior Court for arraignment.
If convicted, Johnson faces a 25-year sentence and Fitzhenry faces a four-year sentence, according to Freitas.
At the news conference, Freitas also announced the launch of the San Joaquin County Animal Cruelty Coalition. Freitas said his office will partner with the Animal Protection League, San Joaquin County Animal Control, the San Joaquin County Farm Bureau and others 'to educate and ensure there is accountability for animal cruelty.'
"Our animals, often are loyal companions, deserve a voice," Freitas said. "We will be that voice and advocate fiercely for their protection."
Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at [e-mail] or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: Women charged after dozens of horses found dead in San Joaquin County