Sign: Man Burns Puppy Alive in Rum-Fueled Fire

Published: May 29, 2026 at 12:30 PM Author: Animal Welfare Investigative Writer & Petition Author

Columbia, South Carolina – The first known PACT Act Conviction has taken place in South Carolina. According to the United States Attorney’s Office, Desmond Levon Brown, 29, of Orangeburg, has pleaded guilty to animal crushing, which includes burning, under the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (PACT Act).

The cruelty case is particularly sickening. Brown threw a LIVE puppy into a raging fire, causing the puppy’s horrific death.

The Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation after being alerted to a Facebook Live video showing Brown throwing a puppy into a fire. Responding deputies found a deceased puppy in a wooded area near the incident location. Federal Law Enforcement obtained the Facebook video and the content is ghastly.

The following description from the U.S. Department of Justice contains graphic details.

The Facebook video showed Brown holding the puppy above the fire, dropping it into the fire, and repeatedly kicking the puppy into the fire, burning it alive. Further evidence showed that the fire, which was started by Brown’s associate, was fueled by a brand of rum that was imported from the Caribbean and bottled in Kentucky.

This case is significant because it marks the first known PACT Act conviction in South Carolina, setting a critical precedent for how the federal government responds to extreme acts of animal torture. The Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act was created to ensure that the most horrific forms of abuse, including burning, crushing, and intentional torture, can be prosecuted at the federal level when state laws are not enough. By pleading guilty under this statute, Brown now faces up to seven years in federal prison, a level of accountability that reflects the severity of his actions and sends a clear message that such cruelty will not be tolerated in the United States.

U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina said:

“Brown’s gruesome torture of a puppy was heinous. He showed no mercy in his crime, and we look forward to his sentencing. Our office will lead the fight to protect the welfare of animals in South Carolina.”

Please add your name to the petition to help Animal Victory convince United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis to sentence Brown to the maximum penalty allowable by law for his vile behavior.Desmond Brown appears to still be in custody awaiting sentencing and there is no public indication that he has been released on bond.

Decision Maker: Assistant U.S. Attorney Elle E. Klein

Why This Petition Matters

Desmond Levon Brown knowingly threw a LIVE puppy into a raging, rum-fueled fire. When the puppy attempted to escape, Brown repeatedly kicked him back into the flames, causing unimaginable suffering and ultimately, death. We demand full accountability under the law for Brown’s abhorrent actions. His deliberate torture of a helpless puppy demands the strongest possible federal penalty to ensure justice is served and to send a clear message that such cruelty will never be tolerated.

News

U.S. Department of Justice Press Release

Live 5 News

Based on reports from authorities, details may change. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Images may be illustrative.

CASE UPDATES

Update: Defendant’s Counsel has requested a waiver from the following dates as he is taking leave for specific events:

Undersigned counsel respectfully requests protection from court appearances for the following dates:

1. August 27-28, 2026: Training.

2. December 18-23, 2026: Preplanned leave.

At this time, counsel has no scheduled court appearances during these periods.

Update 7/12/2026: AV emailed petition to the Prosecuting Attorney. Email sent to media outlets. 

Update 7/7/2026: United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis has accepted the guilty plea and is awaiting a sentencing report from the U.S. Probation Office before scheduling a sentencing hearing. Under the plea agreement, Brown is expected to receive between three and five years in federal prison. The maximum penalty under the PACT Act is seven years, plus a fine of up to $250,000 and three years of supervised release. Our petition urges Judge Lewis to impose the maximum sentence allowable by law. We will post another update as soon as a sentencing date has been received.

Update: Because Desmond Brown pled guilty, NOTICE OF CANCELLATION OF HEARING: Pretrial Conference set for 5/19/2026 at 2:00 PM and Jury Selection set for 6/3/2026 09:30 AM as to Desmond Levon Brown. Now awaiting Disposition and Sentencing of the case.

Update: Defendant Desmond Brown, Case #5:25-CR-00844-MGL-1 has pled guilty to Count 1, Animal Crushing. Count 2 Use of Fire to Commit a Federal Felony has been dismissed.

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Honorable Mary Geiger Lewis: Change of Plea Hearing as to Desmond Levon Brown held on 4/15/2026 Plea Agreement Accepted Desmond Levon Brown (1) Guilty Count 1; Desmond Levon Brown (1) Counts to be Dismissed Count 2. Defendant remains in custody. Court Reporter Jennifer Thompson. CJA Time 10:00-10:35. 

Brown is being held by United States Marshals Service at a local detention facility.