Hallmark/Westland Worker Jailed
Luis Sanchez, a worker from Hallmark/Westland, who was seen in the video released by the Humane Society of the United States using an electric prod on cattle, is in jail and wondering why his superiors are free men. According to Sanchez, he was only following orders and was shown how to use a forklift to move “downer” cattle to slaughter.
As quoted in USA Today,
"That's how I was taught. He [his superior] taught me to do the work. I didn't know it was a serious crime.”
Daniel Ugarte Navarro, Sanchez’s former boss, has been charged with five felony counts of animal abuse and three misdemeanor counts of illegal handling of “downer” cattle. He has pleaded guilty to all charges. Sanchez maintains that it is unjust how he is being detained while Navarro and other of his former superiors have not been incarcerated. Sanchez was originally detained on immigration charges because of his status as an illegal immigrant. He is being charged for animal cruelty, along with two unrelated charges in drug cases.