Sign: Kitten Tortured to Death in ATM Vestibule, Suspect Previously Charged in Another Kitten Abuse Case

Published: July 23, 2026 at 01:19 PM Author: Animal Welfare Investigative Writer & Petition Author

San Francisco, California – A 33-year-old Nevada man is accused of violently torturing a young kitten to death in a bank ATM vestibule on the 1800 block of Market Street, San Francisco, California, on July 1. According to the San Francisco District Attorney, around 2 a.m. William Ohlson entered a bank ATM vestibule with a small kitten and proceeded to violently torture the kitten to death. Mr. Ohlson allegedly fled the scene with the dead kitten.

Ohlson was finally apprehended on July 14 on the roof of a hotel in the 100 block of Fell Street, where officers had tracked him. According to the District Attorney, Ohlson fled from his hotel room when officers served a search warrant.

The grisly details of the kitten’s death have not been released. But the police, and the district attorney’s office, refer to it as “violent torture.” Whatever happened to the tiny kitten was enough to warrant an investigation, a search warrant, an arrest, and charges of killing, maiming or abusing an animal (PC 597(a)), overdrive, overwork or overload of an animal (PC 597(b)) and resisting, obstructing, delaying a peace officer (PC 148(a)(1)).

Authorities say the San Francisco allegations follow an earlier felony animal abuse case in Reno. Washoe County Regional Animal Services confirmed Ohlson was charged in 2020 after allegedly torturing a kitten inside a vehicle in a Walmart parking lot. An incident officials say was captured on video.

Ohlson admitted to the 2020 crime; he wrote in his guilty plea memorandum, “I did willfully, unlawfully and maliciously attempt to torture and/or kill a white kitten at or near 155 Damonte Ranch Parkway.”

Police investigators say that Ohlson adopted kittens and later recorded videos depicting animals being killed. The allegations landed Ohlson on the “Do Not Adopt” list for both the Nevada Humane Society and the SPCA of Northern Nevada.

Illustrative Image/not actual kitten

The police have investigated this case and the results of their investigation led to Ohlson’s arrest and multiple charges. Now we need your signatures urging the court to impose the maximum sentence permitted by law if William Ohlson is convicted. Please add your name today to hold this man accountable for what he did to this innocent young kitten who suffered a horrific death.

Decision Maker: San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins

Why This Petition Matters

William Ohlson is accused of violently torturing a young kitten to death. He also faces allegations of torturing a kitten in 2020. These violent incidents have landed him on the Do Not Adopt lists for two animal welfare agencies in Nevada. Ohlson must face meaningful repercussions for his actions to prevent further harm to innocent animals! It is imperative that court officials take this case seriously. 

Click the PDF below to read more about the potential sentencing if Will Ohlson is convicted as charged.

California Potential Sentencing if Convicted

Animal Protection Laws of California

Note: Ohlson failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment on Monday, July 20, 2026, in San Francisco Superior Court, resulting in a bench warrant being issued for his arrest. Washoe County Sheriff’s Office arrested him on July 23, 2026, and he has been booked in the Washoe County, NV, jail. The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office said Ohlson’s arrest was based on the separate Nevada allegations. “Once he has handled his Nevada case, we will extradite him back to California to see justice served,” the office said in a statement.

News

SF Police Department Press Release

SF District Attorney Press Release

CBS SF Bay Area

KTVU

Hoodline

My News 4

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

Update: It will be several weeks before William Ohlson is extradited to San Francisco for his torture and killing of a kitten. He is facing four charges in Washoe County, NV, none of which are animal cruelty charges. 1) Resisting arrest, 2) Failure to appear in court on a warrant, 3) Convicted person failing to register, 4) criminal contempt of court. And, then of course, he will need to go through. the extradition process.