Authorities: Sullivan County man serving probation for animal abuse arrested again

Authorities say Samuel Stanford, 25, from Monticello, was arrested Tuesday after a search warrant found him in possession of 30 grams of MDMA, which he allegedly intended to sell.

Blaise Gomez and Katerina Belales

Feb 28, 2024, 12:16 PM

Updated 218 days ago

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A Sullivan County man serving probation for attacking his dog and seriously injuring the animal has been arrested, again.
Authorities say Samuel Stanford, 25, from Monticello, was arrested Tuesday after a search warrant found him in possession of 30 grams of MDMA, which he allegedly intended to sell.
Stanford was previously arrested last June for aggravated animal abuse for intentionally causing serious physical injuries to his “companion animal” - a Pit Bull named Zola.
Monticello Police said at the time that Stanford was heard by neighbors, who called for help, violently assaulting the 2-year-old female dog, and that when officers arrived, they witnessed him stomping on the dog’s head and body.
Stanford pled guilty in November and was sentenced to one year probation, mental health counseling, anger management, 100-hours of community service, restitution for medical treatment and training, and registration under Dean’s Law.
Zola suffered multiple injuries, including two deep lacerations to her head, a broken cheekbone, several wounds to her body and abrasion to her legs and two broken ribs, according to rescuers with Catskill Animal Rescue.
The Michigan-based organization is training her to become a police K-9 and plans to donate her back to the same law enforcement agency that saved her - the Monticello Police Department.
The Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office says his new charges are a violation of probation. Stanford was taken to Sullivan County Jail without bail.
“Time and again I will remind all those that engage in dangerous and deadly acts in Sullivan County that the District Attorney’s Office will hold you to account,” said Sullivan County District Attorney Brian Conaty. “Stanford’s actions since his initial arrest warrant the most serious consideration of punishment under the law. His abuse of an innocent animal only to be followed by the peddling of dangerous drugs on our streets, Stanford has struck at the very heart of this administration’s efforts to make Sullivan County a safer place for all. He was offered the opportunity to prove to the court that he warranted redemption; he egregiously failed to do so. I want to thank all our partners in law enforcement that participated in this investigation and the execution of this warrant.”
Stanford is now facing new charges of criminal sale and possession of a controlled substance.
He was seen on Monday in handcuffs, being escorted into the Sullivan County Courthouse by law enforcement officers and was heard on a video posted to the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Facebook page saying, "I wish the best for Zola."