Duff Admits Guilt in Shocking Animal Abuse Case

John Robert Duff, aged 68, has pled guilty to three counts of animal abuse in Yavapai County Superior Court. The operator of Northern Arizona Rescues and Reptiles had been running an educational exhibit and busking operation in Uptown Sedona, where visitors could take photos with his reptiles. He was arrested and booked into Yavapai County Jail on November 17, 2023, facing eight felony counts of animal cruelty along with three misdemeanor charges.

During the investigation, police executed a search warrant on Duff’s motorhome, uncovering conditions they described as inhumane and indicative of longstanding neglect. “Upon completion of the search warrant, 54 snakes were located, eight of which were deceased, along with four geckos, one lizard, three tarantulas, and two rats,” as detailed in the Sedona Police Department (SPD) incident report. The animals were subsequently confiscated and transferred to the Phoenix Herpetological Society, which reported various health issues among them, including scale rot, respiratory problems, and significant weight loss due to neglect.

According to Chief Stephanie Foley of SPD, Duff was informed that failure to post a bond of $25 per animal within ten days of the seizure would result in the animals being deemed abandoned. When he did not comply, the animals legally became the property of the SPD on November 27, 2023. Furthermore, in a communication to the Phoenix Herpetological Society, Foley confirmed that the seized animals were no longer needed as evidence in the criminal case against Duff.

Court documents reveal that Duff pled guilty to two Class 6 designated felonies, specifically one count of cruelty to snakes and one count for leopard geckos, along with a Class 1 misdemeanor for cruelty to tarantulas. These charges fall under ARS §13-2910. At his sentencing hearing on March 24, Duff was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $10,465 in restitution to the Phoenix Herpetological Society, as well as $138.26 to the Cottonwood Police Department.

Animal Control Officer Autumn Durnez was instrumental in removing the animals from Duff’s motorhome, also transporting his four dogs to the Humane Society of Sedona. Despite the restitution order to the Cottonwood Police Department, Sergeant Chad Sinn indicated he was unaware of the reason behind the $138.26 figure. City Communications Manager Lauren Browne clarified that Duff is prohibited from owning reptiles under the terms of his release but is allowed to keep his dogs. There are no specific references to busking in these conditions.

Yavapai County Attorney Dennis M. McGrane’s office has not provided additional comments regarding the case due to the ongoing post-conviction process. Executive assistant Kristy Matheson-Parks stated that a timeline for further commentary remains unclear.