Veterinarian, husband arrested for violating probation in 2021 exotic animals case
A local veterinarian and his husband, who each pled guilty to animal cruelty charges in 2021, went back to jail this week after they allegedly violated a term of their probation agreement which barred them from owning exotic animals.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — A local veterinarian and his husband, who each pled guilty to animal cruelty charges in 2021, went back to jail this week after they allegedly violated a term of their probation agreement which barred them from owning exotic animals.
Dr. Aaron Stachmus and his husband Bryson Anglin faced 18 animal cruelty charges in July 2021 after Cleveland County authorities found hundreds of malnourished exotic animals on their farm.
According to the arrest affidavit in the 2021 case, police found numerous animals including lemurs, foxes, otters, coatimundi, horses and many more species at the couple’s Norman farm.
It said many of the animals did not have access, or only had limited access, to food and water. It also said many were found injured, some severely.
In May 2023, as the case was set to go to trial, both men pleaded guilty to the 18 charges in exchange for a deferred sentence agreement.
The agreement allowed the men to go on probation for five years. They would not be sentenced until they completed the probation in May 2028.
The rules and conditions of their probation stipulated they “shall not possess exotic animals.”
On May 7, the Cleveland County District Attorney’s Office submitted an “application to accelerate” Stachmus’ deferred sentence, claiming he “violated the terms of probation by possessing exotic animals.”
A judge signed off an arrest warrant, and Stachmus was arrested.
He was released from jail after posting a $50,000 bond on May 9.
On May 10, the Cleveland County District Attorney’s office submitted the same “application to accelerate” in Anglin’s case, claiming he also “violated the terms of probation by possessing exotic animals.”
A judge also issued an arrest warrant for Anglin.
Authorities arrested Anglin this week and a judge set a $50,000 bond.
Court records do not indicate if Anglin has bonded out as of Thursday.
News 4 reached out to the Cleveland County District Attorney’s office for more information on Stachmus and Anglin’s alleged parole violations.
They told News 4 they could not speak on the case, but that the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office—who arrested the men—would likely be able to say more.
A spokesperson for the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office says they plan to release full details on the arrests Friday morning.
According to the Oklahoma Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners’ online database, Stachmus still has an active veterinary license.
News 4 found he still runs Brookwood Animal Clinic in south Oklahoma City.
News 4 stopped by the clinic on Friday to talk to Stachmus.
Inside the lobby, News 4 saw numerous cages and tanks full of fish, reptiles and birds.
When News 4 asked to speak to Stachmus, a receptionist confirmed Stachmus was there, but said he was too busy to talk.