Prineville man arraigned in livestock killings, abuse case
A Prineville man sentenced to jail in 2008 in a string of animal killings was arraigned and pleaded not guilty Wednesday after a 32-count indictment added sexual assault of an animal to the new allegations of fatally shooting two calves and weapons charges.
Ronald Albert Livermore, 67, appeared by video from the Jefferson County Jail and had a defense attorney appointed at Wednesday’s arraignment, before Crook County Circuit Judge Annette Hillman. His next court date was set for Jan. 7, said Deputy District Attorney Matthew Reiner. His bail remains set at $150,000.
Livermore first was arraigned Tuesday before Judge Gary Williams on the district attorney’s initial charges, called an information, which indicated Livermore is accused of killing two yearling calves on or about Dec. 7, said Deputy DA Errol LaRue.
The sexual assault charge, a Class A misdemeanor, involved one of the calves, according to the indictment.
For the past few months, Crook County sheriff’s deputies and Oregon State Police have been investigating a string of animal shootings in the rural county, said Sgt. James Savage.
Savage said deputies were able to gather enough information to obtain a search warrant for Livermore’s home and vehicle.
The raid took place about 8:15 a.m. on Monday, turning up evidence linking Livermore to several counts of shooting yearling calves. He also was found to be in possession of several guns and homemade silencers.
Livermore was arrested and lodged at the Crook County Jail on two counts of first-degree aggravated animal abuse, two counts of first-degree criminal mischief, seven counts of felon in possession of a firearm and 20 counts of unlawful possession of a silencer. His bail initial totaled $665,000, according to Savage, who said Prineville police also assisted in the ongoing investigation.
Back in 2008, Livermore, a self-proclaimed vegetarian, was charged with fatally shooting and wasting deer using an unregistered silencer.
He faced nearly two-dozen charges, and was sentenced to just over a year in jail under a plea deal in which he pleaded guilty to nine of the 22 charges.
Livermore was ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for eight dead deer and undergo a mental evaluation. In court, Livermore expressed remorse for his actions.
Oregon State Police Trooper Amos Madison said Livermore “admitted he doesn’t eat meat, and he just liked to shoot animals. He’d drive around with a spotlight and when he’d see eyes, he’d shoot and drive on. “
Livermore also was charged in 2008 with attempted sexual abuse of an animal, though that was one of the charges dropped in his plea agreement.
