Sunny Isles Beach, Florida – An innocent kitten nearly drowned after being cruelly tortured by a couple visiting Sunny Isles Beach in late September. The couple, identified as 27-year-old John Laguerre and 22-year-old Jamarria Wayne, seemed to be taking sick pleasure in the kitten’s distress as they hurled her into the water in front of shocked beachgoers.
Natalia Martin witnessed the abuse and confronted the couple about their appalling behavior. She recalls their response:
“The guy started being so aggressive towards me. He starts stepping up, he says, ‘Hey, look, this is my cat. This is not your business. I can do what I want.’ And then he was like, ‘If you don’t want me to throw the cat, give me $1,000 right now.”
Describing the toll it was taking on the tiny kitten:
“They were throwing her like this into the water. They were trying to make her swim and the cat was so scared, she was passing out already. She was half alive.”
The situation continued to deteriorate after the police showed up and confronted them. John Laguerre was defiant and resisted arrest as he hurled profanities at the officers. Jamarria Wayne was not cooperative either; screaming and threatening to bite the officers.
The incident resulted in multiple charges for the couple. Wayne was charged with two felony counts of battery and attempted battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest, while Laguerre was charged with resisting arrest and animal cruelty — both misdemeanor charges.
Who takes pleasure in hurting a tiny, innocent kitten? What type of person is capable of such appalling, cruel behavior? The FBI has identified cruelty to animals as a dangerous sign of psychopathy; an indicator that someone has a high risk for committing future acts of violence that pose a danger to the entire community. In fact, the FBI has linked a history of animal abuse to most serial killers, school shooters, and mass murderers.
If you are as sickened by this incident as we are, please add your name to the petition today!
View the video on Youtube at this link.
We the undersigned demand that John Laguerre and Jamarria Wayne be held accountable for the torture and abuse of an innocent kitten. We are petitioning for this couple to face the maximum sentence for each and every charge resulting from this incident, in addition to a lifelong ban from animal ownership. Additionally, we want to see this couple receive mandated psychological therapy to prevent them from repeating this deranged behavior in the future.
The silver lining: Though the kitten was described as “half-dead” after nearly drowning, she did survive and was ultimately adopted by Natalia Martin, the good Samaritan who intervened before officers arrived.
Note: Individuals are presumed innocent until they have been found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.
News:
Final Update: VICTORY! The case was closed on 10/30/2023. Jamaria Wayne was convicted of two misdemeanors and one felony. She now has a felony criminal record. The “CTS” means conviction to time served. Jamaria Wayne spent 330 days in jail until her conviction and then was released. She owes $905 to the court and has until 10/30/2025 to pay it.
John W. Laguerre entered a pre-trial intervention program. which started on 8/29/2023 and lasts anywhere from 6-12 months. If he fails the program, his case is reopened and prosecution begins again. If he completes the program successfully. He is released and his case becomes a “no prosecution.” Animal Victory thanks everyone who signed the petition, helping us ensure that this case was not dismissed!
Update 7/24/2023: Jamarria Wayne’s plea hearing is set for 9:30 am on 08/24/2023; the trial is set to begin on 09/05/2023 at 9:30 am.
John Laguerre – after several requests for what looks to be witnesses, the courts set a trial date on 08/07/2023; a motion to dismiss was sent in on 7/22/2023. The courts have not entered if they accepted/granted the motion or not.
Update 6/8/2023: Laguerre is still awaiting his June 26th court date.
Update 3/6/2023: Animal Victory sent a cover letter and petition to the judge.
Update March 2023: Jamaria Wayne had a Type R hearing on 03/29/2023 at 9:30 am in room 6-1 of the Justice Building.
Update 1/20/2023: Animal Victory has learned that Jamaria Wayne is scheduled for a hearing on 01/25/2023 at 09:30 a.m.
Update 1/10/2023: Animal Victory has sent 19,634 signatures along with the petition to State Attorney Nicholas Sconzo, prosecuting attorney for Jammaria Wayne’s case, and to State Attorney Kassandra Cabrera, prosecuting attorney for John Laguerre’s case.
Update 12/23/2022: There is an evaluation on January 11, 2023, for Jamaria Wayne. This is a process through which the accused is assessed to determine their mental state and whether they are fit to stand trial. Wayne LAGUERRE, JOHN WESLEY is scheduled for a hearing on January 12, 2023. Wesley is charged as indicated below.
| 1 | RESIST OFF W/O VIOL | MISDEMEANOR | |
| 2 | ANIMALS/CRUELTY TO | MISDEMEANOR |
Prior Signatures 20,194
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