According to Sheriff Jeffrey Murphy, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Ryan L. Passino, age 26 of Argyle, NY.

Passino was arrested on February 10, 2015 after an investigation into a burglary that was reported to the Sheriff’s Office on August 4, 2014 in which seven calves were stolen. The calves were found by a property owner in a wooded area located off Woodard Road in the Town of Fort Edward on August 15, 2014. Three of the calves were dead, one was near death and had to be euthanized and three were treated at the scene by a local Veterinarian service and were able to be rescued.

It is alleged that Passino gave a statement he knew to be false to a Sheriff Investigator, when he was interviewed on August 15.

Passino and the property owner had an agreement that allowed Passion to use the Woodard Road property to raise animals.

Passino has been charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree a Class E. Felony, Making a Punishable False Written Statement a Class A Misdemeanor, and seven counts of Cruelty to Animals also Class A Misdemeanors.

Passino is not charged with stealing the calves.

Passino was released on the charges pending prosecution in the Fort Edward Town Court.
The arrest was made by Sheriff's Investigator Matt Lohret.