Accused animal abuser’s father arrested as alleged co-conspirator

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Another man has been arrested for a Henrico animal abuse scheme, just outside the bond hearing for his son and alleged co-conspirator.

Twenty-seven-year-old Rodney Travis, Jr. faces multiple charges for an animal abuse scheme. His father was arrested in court Tuesday, March 31, just after Travis Jr. was denied release on bond.

The Commonwealth's attorney alleged Travis Jr.'s father supplied the animals his son reportedly abused. Travis Jr. was arrested on Feb. 15 and has been in jail since.

In court Tuesday, the Commonwealth detailed the years of fraud and scams Travis Jr. allegedly committed in California and then in Virginia. The latest allegedly entailed adopting around 30 cats in the past few years only to severely abuse them and post videos of the animals on social media to solicit donations.

The Commonwealth said the videos were made in various hotel rooms across Henrico County, and mostly featured three cats named Hayden, Sophia and Noah. The cats were allegedly adopted in healthy condition, but just weeks later appeared on video with severe injuries, unable to walk or breathe.

When a search warrant was carried out at Travis Jr.'s Chesterfield residence, police allegedly found seven cats, including one with injuries to its skull, spine and ribs, and another that later died from a skull fracture.

The Commonwealth said veterinary experts said the latter cat's injuries were consistent with a car accident, falling from four stories or being mauled by a dog.

A search of Travis Jr.'s trash allegedly recovered another dead cat with injuries consistent with the defendant stomping on the cat's head.

When arguing for Travis Jr.'s release, his defense said he is currently being held in segregated housing for his own safety, but that this confinement was distressing. The defense said that if granted bond, Travis Jr. would be under the care of his father, who was present in the courtroom.

The Commonwealth told the court, however, that wouldn't be possible, as arrest warrants had already been issued for Travis Jr.'s father for his alleged involvement as a co-conspirator.

The Commonwealth said that Travis Jr.'s father had adopted cats on his son's behalf, and said while he had initially lied to police, evidence on Travis Jr.'s devices implicated him in the crimes.

The judge denied Travis Jr.'s request for bond, citing concerns that the defendant was a flight risk, that there were additional indictments pending and that he was already bond in Chesterfield County court.

Travis Jr.'s father was promptly arrested outside the courtroom and taken away in handcuffs. His exact charges have not been made public yet.

Travis Jr.'s next court is appearance is scheduled for May 1 in Chesterfield.