U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has taken custody of a United Kingdom national facing four felony charges for allegedly torturing dogs at a Las Vegas animal shelter.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department arrested John Young Cotter Johnstone on April 1, 2026, following a month-long investigation into animal cruelty at his workplace. According to police videos, Johnstone repeatedly used shock collars on dogs, stepped on their leashes to force their heads to the ground, and swung the animals in mid-air. He is currently charged with willfully torturing, maiming, or mutilating animals.
Johnstone originally entered the United States in 2021 under the Visa Waiver Program and was authorized to stay until February 2022, but he overstayed his visa. On the day of his arrest, ICE issued an immigration detainer with the Clark County Detention Center. Clark County officials honored the detainer the following day, April 2, and transferred Johnstone into ICE custody.
“This disgusting criminal tortured dogs at the shelter where he worked,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “Thanks to the cooperation of Clark County officials who honored the ICE detainer, this freak is in ICE custody. 7 of the 10 safest cities cooperate with ICE. We need more state and local politicians to work with us to keep criminals off our streets and out of our country.”