Commonwealth of VA and Ayrshire Farm

Please call James Plowman the Commonwealth Attorney @ (703) 777-0242 or email oca@loudoun.gov and ask why the state abandoned their role as prosecutors in the case of COMMONWEALTH v. Ritenour, Crystal with no previous notice to the complainant or even the Judge (Deborah Welsh).

The Commonwealth of Virginia (James Plowman and Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Eric Pohlner) notified me minutes before the trail that they would no longer be prosecuting the criminal case against Crystal Ritenour. I was told I "looked prepared" and was left to prosecute a criminal case myself.

I was led to believe even before filing the criminal complaint that the Commonwealth would prosecute the case if Crystal Ritenour retained an attorney. It was recommended to me by Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Jason Faw during a meeting in Leesburg that that was one course of action I could take in light of Loudoun Animal Services apparently closing the investigation.

I filed a criminal animal cruelty complaint against Ayrshire Farms Large Livestock Manager Crystal Ritenour immediately (March 3, 2015) The court case was pushed pack at the request of the defense and finally scheduled for May 20, 2015 . On May 13, 2015 Jason Faw ( Assistant Commonwealth Attorney who originally was to prosecute the case) told me he had a court conflict and Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Eric Pohlner would be the new prosecutor. I was told he was highly qualified and was informed on the specifics of the case. Minutes before trial on May 20, 2015 Eric Pohlner introduced himself and I was told the State was no longer prosecuting the case ..but that I "looked prepared". 

Please call or email James Plowman. Let your friends and neighbors know he abandoned the prosecution of a criminal animal cruelty case on the day of trial. I had to prosecute the criminal case on behalf of the commonwealth! This is what he allows when it's a rich and famous woman's farm the animals are being neglected at.

I did not have an opportunity to get a private prosecutor, I was even told by Eric Pohlner when I spoke to him after the trial that they were not allowed in the state of VA when in fact they are.

There is something seriously wrong and unethical with how this situation is playing out.

This is bigger than the pigs. There is something someone is desperately trying to hide and doing anything and everything to avoid opening a can of worms. 

Please call or email the named prosecuting attorney James Plowman and ask why the Commonwealth decided NOT TO prosecute Commonwealth v. Ritenour, Crystal and why the complainant was not notified until minutes before trial.

Do not stop until you have been given an answer.

The criminal complaint was brought by Meredith Amonson against Ayrshire Farm Large Livestock Manager Crystal Ritenour for severe animal abuse to the pigs at Ayrshire Farm. This includes and is not limited to the willful neglect of pigs, withholding medical care, allowing staff to physically abuse pigs, not preventing illness...then not treating it in an effort to keep the pigs organic. The worst animal practices possible in organic pasture based systems is found at "Certified Humane" "Certified Organic" Ayrshire Farm. Every agency and organization from Humane Farm Animal Care to Loudoun Animal Services is aware of the neglect and abuse that occurs on this farm but due to Ayrshire Farm owner Sandy Lerner's influence and notoriety the farm has only received behind the scenes slaps on the wrist for. Loudoun Animal Services routinely finds individuals guilty of criminal animal abuse for a fraction of what can be found at Ayrshire Farm. Their thoughts on Sandy Lerner's abuses? "We don't deny abuse occurred, but we think they have made the necessary changes to prevent them from happening again in the future." Same owner, same management, same staff. The abuse will certainly continue to occur into the future. All the while Ayrshire Farm publically maintains they have done no wrong. That they go above and beyond the "Certified Humane" standards, when in fact they were given 30 days notice to correct major and minor nonconformances before their Certified Humane certificate would be revoked. When reinspected by Humane Farm Animal Care noncompliances were STILL FOUND yet their certification remains.

Sandy Lerner might have Humane Farm Animal Care in her pocket and she might be able to push Loudoun Animal Services around to do her bidding and protect her, but she will NEVER silence the TRUTH. This page will continue to publicize the atrocities that happen at Ayrshire Farm. The severe neglect. The abuse. The horrific animal husbandry practices.

I will continue to fight for those pigs who are at the mercy of sadistic people who could not care less about their welfare. My voice will only get louder. 
It is election year. 

Spread the word about this situation. As far As I know the stunt they pulled in this case is unprecedented in Loudouns history. Throwing the complainant under the bus who is trying to stop animal abuse minutes before trial and leaving them to prosecute on behalf of the commonwealth?! Its crazy! And Loudoun citizens are paying him to do it!. Plowman need a to answer for this decision and he need a not be re-elected. He needs to go and this is a very timely example of what he is willing to do for the "rich and famous" while ignoring severe animal abuse and neglect. Who is he serving? Who is he protecting?

Jim Plowman isn't serving the citizens of Loudoun County VA, he is serving himself and he's not protecting the abused he is protecting the abusers. This needs to stop. Preventing animal abuse and holding abusers accountable should be a top priority in Loudoun County. Not only should we lead by example because it is the right thing to do, but as the richest county in the United States all eyes are on us and we need to set the standard nationally that animal abuse will not be excused (regardless of race, socio-economic standing, or species of animal involved). The pictures in this page look like they were taken in a 3rd world country where lack of resources prevent proper animal husbandry or medical care. In reality these pigs are located in The wealthiest county in America on a farm owned by one of Loudouns wealthiest citizens. All the resources are available for the appropriate care of these pigs (time, resources, infrastructure) Unfortunately the owner, management, and staff do not use these resources to provide for the pigs and The result is willful neglect and abuse. This is not acceptable and there is no excuse.

Let me be clear. Look at the photo. My voluntary presence was requested at this criminal court case of the Commonwealth v. Ritenour, Crystal and I ended up having to prosecute a criminal case with minutes notice, no law experience, against a private attorney who went to law school...passed the bar to practice in VA and has decades of experience. Jim Plowman is covering for Sandy Lerner of Ayrshire Farm (where Crystal Ritenour is employed as Large Livestock Manager) and Loudoun Animal Services who turned a blind eye on the abuse but "trusts" it won't continue.

I obviously lost the case against a private attorney as I tried to navigate the rules of law. This was not due to lack of evidence but lack of law school. By the way ..Crystal Ritenour asserted her 5th amendment right to remain silent as to not incriminate herself.

You can't make this up.

https://www.facebook.com/ayrshirefarmabuse