On Sunday afternoon, April 13th, this office received an anonymous tip via our website tip line concerning the possible maltreatment of retired K9 Bane, a former K9 officer with our office. The tip indicated that retired K9 Bane was being left outside on a chain with no access to food, water, or shade. The tip also suggested that retired K9 Bane was very much underweight. The owner of the dog was identified by the anonymous tip as Ethan Huffstetler, a Greene County Detention Center officer.
An investigation began on Monday, April 14th by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division. During the course of the investigation, retired K9 Bane was found deceased in his igloo doghouse, not chained or secured to anything. He was found in an advanced state of decomposition, indicating that he had been deceased for quite some time. Huffstetler advised detectives that it had been four to five days since he had last checked on retired K9 Bane and stated that he did not have food for retired K9 Bane.
Payton Johnson, another Greene County Detention Center officer, is Huffstetler’s roommate. Johnson has a dog of his own and advised detectives that he lets the dog out in the backyard two to three times a day. Johnson stated that he last saw K9 Bane approximately one week ago in his kennel. Johnson stated that he did not know what K9 Bane’s condition was. Due to the advanced state of decomposition of retired K9 Bane and the close proximity of the kennel to the residence, it is not feasible that Johnson was unaware of retired K9 Bane’s condition.
Both Huffstetler and Johnson have been charged with one count each of the following:
“Aggravated Cruelty to a Dog, Cat, or Equine” (A.C.A. 5-62-104), a Class D Felony
“Right to be Accompanied by Service Animal — Penalty and Restitution for Killing or Injuring a Service Animal or Search and Rescue Dog” (A.C.A. 20-14-304), a Class D Felony
This morning, District Judge Dan Stidham found probable cause of the charges and set Huffstetler’s bond at $20,000 cash only, and Johnson’s bond at $10,000 cash or surety. Huffstetler and Johnson are being held in a neighboring county’s facility due to their connection to our facility. Both Huffstetler and Johnson have been relieved of their positions with the Greene County Detention Center.
For background, retired K9 Bane began his career with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office approximately six years ago and was retired in January of 2024 at the age of seven. Retired K9 Bane was allowed, by county court order, to be adopted by his handler at the time, Jimmy Huffstetler, upon retirement. At some point after retirement, retired K9 Bane came under the care of Jimmy’s son Ethan. Retired K9 Bane was certified in drug detection, tracking, apprehension, and article search during his time as an active police K9. Retired K9 Bane served Greene County very well during his time with this department.
This investigation is still ongoing, with further work to be done. As such, no further information will be released at this time.
-Sheriff Brad Snyder