Sexual predator charged with molesting neighbors dog

After receiving a prison sentence of over 13-years, Historic City News reported the release of 52-year-old James Lee Lyons on June 14, 2011. Lyons, a registered sexual predator, is back in custody today — this time charged with animal cruelty and sexual activity involving an animal.

At the time of his prison release, Lyons was reportedly living in the woods off SR-207; south of Holmes Boulevard and north of Lightsey Road. A short time thereafter, Historic City News reported that Lyons would be residing at 437 Gloria Street in St Augustine.

In January 1998, Lyons pled guilty to attempted sexual battery of a child, and, committing a sexual act with a child while in a familial role, after accepting a plea agreement for an incident that occurred in 1997 here in St Johns County.

This Monday afternoon, July 22, a St Johns County man appeared at the Sheriff’s Office to file a report of an incident that occurred last weekend involving the man’s pet dog and Lyons.

The complainant told detectives that he arrived home Saturday, just in time to beat a heavy thunderstorm. He said that, before entering his home, he let his two dogs out to relieve themselves. One of the dogs went into Lyons’ yard, the man said.

When the storm finally arrived, the complainant began looking for his dog, but said that he was unable to locate her. The man later observed Lyons carrying the dog from his trailer, and Lyons told the dog’s owner that he had located the dog in his shed.

The dog’s owner said his pet was acting very withdrawn. He discovered that the dog had sustained injuries to her vulva and rectum, so he contacted Animal Control. The dog was taken to an emergency veterinarian for examination. According to the incident report, it appeared the dog was a victim of animal abuse and bestiality.

Early this morning, a warrant was obtained for Lyons’ arrest. Deputies executed the warrant at Lyons’ Gloria Street residence, without incident. Lyons remains in custody at the St Johns County Detention Facility in lieu of $11,000 bond as detectives continue their investigation.