London Cattle Company Accused Of Selling Animals That Tested Positive For Drugs

LONDON, KY - A London cattle company was indicted for falsifying records related to an investigation into selling animals containing medical drugs in their system.

Williams Cattle Company and its treasurer, 47-year-old Pamela Collette, were indicted Monday for falsification of records related to a federal investigation and creating false documents.

According to the indictment, the Food and Drug Administration investigated Williams Cattle for violating a court ordered injunction, which instructs the company not to purchase or sell cattle for slaughter that may contain drug medication residue.

Collette allegedly falsified weekly reports that were supposed to be sent to buyers verifying that the animals sold were drug free, in an attempt to influence the outcome of the investigation. She is also alleged to have created false documents that appeared to be prepared by a company that sold animals to Williams Cattle, when in fact the company had not generated the documents.

As part of the injunction, which was filed in 2006, if Williams Cattle Company sells animals with medical drugs in their system, it is required to notify the buyers. Additionally, the injunction obligates Williams Cattle to identify the potential cause for the medical drugs in the animals and to refrain from purchasing animals from sellers who supply cattle that contains medical drugs.

Kerry B. Harvey, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Special Agent in Charge Antoinette V. Henry, of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations jointly announced the indictment.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations. The indictment was presented to the grand jury by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Sam Dotson.

Collette is set to appear in federal court for an arraignment on April 24. If convicted she faces a maximum of five years in prison on each charge and a $250,000 fine. The company is also subject to the $250,000 fine for each count.

The indictment of a person by a grand jury is an accusation only, and that person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.