Sign: Field of Death Where Woman Allowed More than 50 Horses to Starve

Published: January 30, 2025 at 02:01 PM Author: Penny Eims

Clements, CA – A woman from Clements, California, was booked into jail in January after a sickening discovery was made at her property. According to the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, an animal cruelty investigation involving Jan Johnson revealed a horrific situation that is almost incomprehensible.

Officials who visited Johnson’s property discovered a literal graveyard of horses who had been starved to death, some still wearing blankets and others with their legs bound in hobbles. A total of 53 horses, one cow, and one dog were found dead on Johnson’s property. Another nine horses and one donkey were in such dismal condition that they had to be humanely euthanized because there was no hope of bringing them back from the brink of death. Surviving horses, in various states of neglect, were rescued and taken to Oakdale Equine Rescue for care.

This is not Jan Johnson’s first run-in with the law. In 2006, she was arrested on suspicion of financial elder abuse on 42 felony charges and five misdemeanors. In August of 2024, animal services officers went to Johnson’s property to investigate a report of animal neglect, and Johnson made threats to harm them. In early January 2024, an illegal cockfighting operation was found on one of her properties; officers discovered 30 dead roosters and 65 that were alive.

Jan Johnson is a serial criminal. She has shown her true self – someone unafraid of breaking the law. Someone able and willing to take advantage of the elderly. Someone who is cold-hearted enough to watch dozens of horses stand in a field and slowly starve to death.

Jan Johnson was arrested and booked into the San Joaquin County jail for the following charges:
▪️Cruelty to an animal
▪️Threatening a public official
▪️Criminal threats
▪️Possession of a short-barrel shotgun

If you are disgusted by this horrific case, please add your name to the petition. Animal Victory will be fighting to put Jan Johnson behind bars for as long as possible!

Target: Ronald J. Freitas, San Joaquin County District Attorney

WHY THIS PETITION MATTERS: 

We, the undersigned, demand justice for the innocent animals who were starved to death by Jan Johnson. This woman turned a blind eye to the immeasurable suffering of these animals as they slowly wasted away. Animal Victory and its supporters demand that Johnson face actual repercussions for her actions. This is not the first time she has broken the law, but we want it to be her last!

Research has consistently shown a strong link between animal cruelty and human violence. Individuals who commit such heinous acts against animals often pose a threat to society as a whole, as animal abuse is frequently a precursor to other violent crimes. Failing to hold Johnson accountable not only denies justice for the animals she starved but also endangers the community at large. It is imperative that we send a clear message that such cruelty will not be tolerated.

Individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.

Note: Oakdale Equine Rescue is caring for the surviving horses. However, the horses are still the property of San Joaquin County Animal Control Services

News:

Chronicle of the Horse

CBS Sacramento

SF Gate

Lodi News (Elder Abuse)

CASE UPDATES

Update 2/2/2026: The next preliminary hearing for Jan Johnson is scheduled for 03/30/2026 at 8:30 a.m. P.S.T. before Judge Ronald Northup in Courtroom 7B.

Update 9/16/2025: Defendant Jan Johnson Pre-Preliminary Hearing Conference scheduled for 11/17/2025 at 8:30 a.m. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for 02/02/2026 at 8:30 a.m. before Judge Ronald Northrup.

Update 7/18/2025: Jan Johnson has two upcoming hearings, one on 08/01/2025 at 8:30 a.m. and the second on 09/16/2025 at 8:30 a.m. for the starvation case #CR-2025-0005745.

Update 6/10/2025:  Summary of charges for Jan Johnson.  Attached, please see detail of charges broken down.

41 Charges:
20 Felony Animal Cruelty – potential up to 60 years and $400,000
17 Misdemeanor W/O Proper Care – potential $340,000 and 17 years
3 Felony Firearm charges – Up to $3,000 and 5 years
1 Misdemeanor Possession of cock for fighting – Jail 16 months to years &/or $50,000

Jan Ann Johnson Charges.pdf

Update 5/27/2025: Next arraignment for Jan Johnson for case CR-2024-0012881 is July 15, 2025, at 8:30 AM. The case #for the starvation of the horses is CR-2025-0005745. She will be arraigned for this case as well on July 15, 2025, at 8:30 AM.

Update 5/15/2025: Jan Johnson has two separate cases. Case #CR-2024-0012881 is specific to two felony charges – Threatening a Public Official (Penal Code Section 71(a)(1)) and Criminal Threats (Penal Code Section 422(A)). The January 2025 case of horse starvation does not yet have a case number, nor has a court date been set. They are still trying to determine the number of charges that will be levied against her.

Update 4/30/2025: Animal Victory sent the petition to the DA. 

Update 4/25/2025: The next appearance for Johnson is 05/27/2025 at 08:30 AM—Further Arraignment (8B). 

Update 3/27/2025: The next appearance is 04/22/2025 at 8:30 AM. Prosecutor Jeffrey A. Derman. Bail has been set at $100,000.00. The judge is Allen F. Jose.

Update 3/18/2025: This case is still under active investigation by the San Joaquin Valley Sheriff’s Office. Most of the reports, along with veterinary examination documents, have been submitted to the District Attorney’s Office. As of now, no case number has been assigned, and Johnson has not been arrested. The Sheriff’s Office plans to discuss potential charges with the D.A.
We have been told there were a total of 112 horses involved in the case, of which 2 have deceased. The number of horses that were decomposing on her property has not yet been counted. Ten of the 112 horses were euthanized by the veterinarian due to severe emaciation, while the remaining horses are recovering in various rescue facilities. All llamas and donkeys, except for one donkey, were still alive and have been sent to rescue centers.