Black Diamond Dog Kennel Owner Indicted For Making False Statements

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - Gerhard L. Felts, aka Gary Felts, age 61, from Kingsley, Iowa, has been charged with three counts of making false statements to the United States in connection with a civil judgment obtained against Felts for Animal Welfare Act violations. The charges are contained in an Indictment unsealed yesterday, in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids.

The Indictment alleges the United States obtained a civil judgment against Gary Felts dba Black Diamond Kennel on March 25, 2011, based upon the conditions of his dog kennel.  The Indictment further alleges Felts repeatedly provided false financial information to the United States in connection with the United States’ efforts to collect the debt.  In doing so, Felts failed to disclose a checking account opened in April 2011, a savings account opened in April 2013, and his receipt of workers compensation payments in the amount of $25,000 in April 2013.          

“The United States takes very seriously its obligation to collect debts from those who violate the Animal Welfare Act.  False statements in that process will not be tolerated,” stated United States Attorney Kevin W. Techau.

If convicted on all charges, Felts faces a sentence of up to fifteen years’ imprisonment; a fine of up to $750,000; $300 in special assessments, and three year of supervised release following any imprisonment.

As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. Cole and was investigated by US Department of Agriculture.  Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 16-cr-49.

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