A former Union County animal-rights advocate was back in court Wednesday.
Steffen Evan Baldwin, 40, whose court listed address is room 110 at the Extended Stay of South Dayton, was arraigned Wednesday in Union County Common Pleas Court.
Baldwin is charged with engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, bribery, grand theft of a firearm, 15 counts of telecommunications fraud, 13 cases of cruelty to animals, six counts of tampering with records and two counts of grand theft, all felonies.
Baldwin was originally indicted in June on similar charges, though the indictment included 14 misdemeanor charges including impersonation of a peace officer and multiple counts of cruelty to companion animals and falsification.
In February, the court dismissed the misdemeanor charges ruling that the statute of limitations on the misdemeanors had expired.
The state has appealed that decision.
Additionally, in March, prosecutors refiled the indictment, charging many of the dismissed counts as felonies, extending the statute of limitations from two years to six years.
Wednesday, Baldwin’s attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the new charges. In the motion, defense attorneys Michael Streng and Jonathan Tyack argued that Baldwin was arrested 270 days ago and has not been brought to trial. While Baldwin waived his right to a speedy trial on the original charges, he has not waived that right on the new counts. Additionally, Baldwin’s attorneys set out that the new felony charges are based on the same conduct as the dismissed misdemeanors, a maneuver they argue is barred.
Baldwin served as director of the Union County Humane Society. He founded the Animal Cruelty Task Force of Ohio (ACT Ohio) and co-founded the Ohioans Against Breed Discrimination, a Political Action Committee.
Last year, the Union County Grand Jury indicted Baldwin, claiming in court documents that he, “did negligently, needlessly kill” at least eight dogs.
“I am not sure we are ever going to know the total number of animals he killed,” Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips said at the time. “I certainly think the total exceeds the number of indictments.”
Phillips said Baldwin would allegedly tell people he was taking dogs in to rescue or adopt them.
“Then he would raise money for these dogs – for their care, for their adoption, for their training – but had allegedly euthanized them,” Phillips said.
He said Baldwin had, “a pattern of lying to people to raise money.”
The indictments indicate Baldwin took funds from a variety of animal shelters, organizations and individuals throughout the state and nation.
“The allegations indicate the money he raised for the animals, even after they were euthanized, were used for his personal expenses,” Phillips said, listing gifts for his girlfriend as well as funds spent at strip clubs.
The indictments also allege Baldwin lied on court documents, saying he was bit by an aggressive dog and that he stole a handgun from an animal rescue task force.
Assistant Union County Prosecutor Melissa Chase said Baldwin has been under investigation for years.
At a court appearance last year, Chase told a judge that when Baldwin learned of the investigation, “he began making plans to move from the state of Ohio.” In fact, she said that investigators executed a search warrant on his moving van in an effort to gather information and evidence before it was taken out of state.
Baldwin moved to California and started Save Them Dog Training, which focused on dogs with bite histories. He also helped found Underdog Alliance to advocated for dogs with severe behavioral problems.
Phillips said local investigators worked with police in California.
He said that when it was time to serve the indictment and arrest Baldwin, police in California invited Baldwin to conduct an animal training for the department. When Baldwin arrived, U.S. Marshals arrested him.
When Baldwin was arraigned in August, Judge Mark O’Connor set bond at $200,000, the amount requested by Assistant Union County Prosecutor Melissa Chase. She called Baldwin, “a flight risk.” O’Connor agreed that without an Ohio address, he was reluctant to release Baldwin.
Weeks later, Baldwin had an Ohio address and Streng asked the judge to readdress bond. O’Connor ruled to allow Baldwin to be released if he paid 10% of the bond, which he did.
O’Connor was assigned to the case because Streng belongs to the same law firm where Common Pleas Court Judge Don Fraser was a partner.
If convicted on all counts, Baldwin could face more than 85 years in prison.