Investigation ongoing into Potential Criminal Charges Following Trespass of Petaluma Poultry Farm

On September 29, 2018 at approximately 1:30 p.m. Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to multiple 911 calls of trespassers on the private property of the McCoy’s Poultry Services, located in the 100 block of Jewett Road in Petaluma, CA. Upon their arrival Sheriff’s deputies estimated that approximately 150-200 protesters had gathered at that location, and were engaged in a coordinated protest on the roadway and within the poultry business.

During the course of the protest deputies arrested 58 individuals for a variety of criminal offenses. All 58 protesters were taken to the Sonoma County Jail where they were booked into custody. Subsequently, 51 of those individuals posted bail and were thereafter released and given a date to appear next week. The remaining seven were discharged and released this afternoon.

Today at 1:30 p.m. in Department 9 of the Sonoma County Superior Court, the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office requested additional time to review law enforcement reports, and any other available evidence, prior to making a decision on what, if any, criminal charges to file against each of the 58 individuals arrested.

District Attorney Jill Ravitch noted, “Due to the large amount of evidence involved in this investigation my office has requested additional time to make certain we are able to conduct a complete and accurate review of all available evidence in this case. Once we determine what if any violations have occurred we intend to file criminal charges. If people have concerns about commercial farming practices there are avenues available to voice those concerns short of committing criminal acts.”