Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Criminal Justice announced today that a Newark, New Jersey, man has been charged with allegedly having two pit bull-type dogs attack and kill a red-tail hawk and a stray cat, in addition to operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility and other drug and weapons offenses.
Ibn Lloyd, 38, of Newark, is charged with violating the Endangered and Nongame Species Act, multiple counts of animal cruelty (3rd and 4th degree), as well as maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility (1st degree), multiple counts of possession of controlled dangerous substances (3rd degree), possession of controlled dangerous substances within 1,000 feet of a school property (3rd degree), and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (2nd degree). Lloyd made his initial appearance on May 19, 2025, and was detained.
Six co-defendants — Aniyah Arrington, 24, Kenneth Benbow, 64, Jose Thornton, 49, Darrell Bullock, 67, Darryl Mitchell, 57, and Terrance Herring, 32, all of Newark, and Cornelius Utley, 48, of Bloomfield – were also charged with various drug offenses.
“In the course of investigating drug trafficking in the city of Newark, law enforcement officers also uncovered evidence of extraordinary animal cruelty,” said Attorney General Platkin. “Diligent police work resulted in our charging this defendant for those acts, as well as for serious drug and weapons offenses. This case shows the importance of the hard work our law enforcement partners do to keep all our communities safer.”
“This case involved the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection Fish & Wildlife Conservation Police investigating horrific animal abuse and New Jersey State Police identifying suspected drug distribution at the same location,“ said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton. “We will continue to partner with law enforcement agencies across the state to prosecute complex cases that keep our communities safe. DCJ and our partners spent months doing the day-to-day investigative work that is necessary to root out illegal drug trafficking operations. In addition to the dangerous drugs that were seized from several locations and the evidence of horrific animal abuse, serious weapons violations were uncovered.”
“The scope of these charges underscores how dangerous this individual is to the community,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “From endangering wildlife to operating a drug production facility near a school and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, his alleged actions reflect a blatant disregard for the law, for public safety, and human and animal life, This case is a stark reminder of the critical importance of proactive law enforcement and interagency collaboration. I commend the men and women who worked tirelessly to bring this individual to justice and protect the communities we serve.”
“The cruelty exhibited in these alleged acts against vulnerable wildlife is appalling,” said NJDEP Fish & Wildlife Assistant Commissioner Dave Golden. “Every New Jerseyan should find this blatant disregard for the wellbeing of animals unacceptable. This type of behavior deepens the resolve of DEP Fish & Wildlife and our Conservation Police Officers to safeguard New Jersey’s wildlife and ensure that violators of animal cruelty laws are held accountable.”
On December 4, 2024, a video of what appeared to be a juvenile red-tailed hawk being attacked by two pit bull-type dogs inside what appeared to be a fenced-in enclosure was posted to a Facebook account belonging to the vanity name “SuccaFree Choppa.” In the video, the dogs can be seen attempting to bite the hawk while a male voice is heard in the background encouraging the dogs, which he called “Coco” and “Blu,” to “kill it.” At one point it appears the hawk’s talons grab onto one of the dog’s faces, after which the dog yelps loudly, and there appears to be blood on the hawk’s feathers. A text “caption” superimposed on the Facebook video said: “Prey Drive,” and the description of the video by the account holder said: “American Bully’s with ‘prey drive’…,” which is a term used to describe the inclination of carnivorous animals such as dogs to find, pursue, chase, and capture prey. The same video was also posted to an Instagram account belonging to the Username “succafree_choppa” and to the YouTube channel “@succafreeworld” on the same date.
The investigation allegedly identified Lloyd as the owner of the social media accounts, and the location of the enclosure was in the rear yard of a residence in the 400 block of South 6th Street in Newark. The investigation also allegedly revealed that it was Lloyd’s voice on the video and his believed ownership of the two dogs. At least one comment posted to the accounts by Lloyd allegedly indicated the hawk was killed, although Lloyd allegedly then contradicted the statement after numerous posters allegedly warned him that he was engaging in potential criminal activity.
On December 22, 2024, a video was posted to the YouTube channel of “@succafreeworld” of several pit bull-type dogs appearing to be pursuing something under a red roll-off dumpster, with a voice heard in the background suggesting they were trying a reach a cat hiding underneath and encouraging the dogs to get it. The video was captioned with the phrase “American Bully’s with ‘Prey Drive’.” A link to the video was also posted to the Facebook page of “SuccaFree Choppa.” A video of the same dogs carrying around what appears to be a dead cat was posted to the Instagram account belonging to “succafree_choppa,” also with a text caption of “Prey Drive” superimposed over the video.
From November 2024 to May 2025, law enforcement investigated the distribution of CDS by a drug trafficking organization operating primarily out of two residences in the 400 block of South 6th Street, which is within 1,000 feet of a school property. A search warrant executed on May 2, 2025, for those addresses, as well as for an address in the 400 block of Jelliff Avenue, Newark, and a 2008 Buick Enclave revealed the presence of crack cocaine, bulk packaging material, Naloxone strips, and other paraphernalia, resulting in drug charges against all the defendants.
Also found during the search was an Interarms Star Firestar M43 handgun, a black Ramset powder fastening systems nail gun modified to appear like an automatic weapon, an antique handgun, a black plastic handgun modified by removing the orange tip, a 15-round 9mm magazine, a 50-round magazine drum, which contained 29 9mm cartridges, four 10-round 9mm magazines, a bulletproof vest, and a two-way radio, resulting in the gun charges against Lloyd.
First-degree charges carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine up to $200,000. Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000. Fourth-degree offenses could lead to up to 18 months in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
The DCJ Environmental Crimes Bureau is prosecuting the case, under the supervision of Deputy Attorney Generals Amy Sieminski and Brian Carney and Assistant Attorney General Alyssa Bloom. The case was investigated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Fish and Wildlife Conservation Police, New Jersey State Police, and DCJ Environmental Crimes Bureau.
The charges and allegations are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
