The state says it will not prosecute an Ocala Breeders’ Sales Director previously accused of snatching a backpack from an animal rights activist who was recording the euthanasia of a horse.
The filing was made on May 1 in the case of Tod Thomas Wojciechowski, the OBS director accused of robbery, by the office of State Attorney William Gladson in the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court of Marion County.
“Based on the facts and circumstances of this case and a review of the available evidence, the State is announcing a No Information as to the charge in this case,” reads the Announcement of No Information filing by the state attorney’s office.
Wojciechowski was arrested on April 12, two days after the alleged incident at Ocala Breeders’ Sales (1701 SW 60th Avenue).
According to the original arrest report by the Ocala Police Department, an individual working on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) claimed that he was recording a horse after its crash with a race track barrier when he was approached by Wojciechowski and another OBS official.
The individual claimed he was yelled at by the OBS staff members and that his backpack was taken and not returned.
During an interview with an OPD officer who responded to OBS, Wojciechowski claimed that the individual was recording on “private property,” and that he had tried to stop the person from recording there.
The report stated that the officer walked around the incident location, and the area was “open to the public” with “no signs prohibiting pictures or videos.”
Wojciechowski was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail on April 12 and was released on his own recognizance the same day. He was originally charged with robbery by sudden snatching.
According to Marion County court records, on the same day that the announcement was filed by the state, attorney Anthony Tatti filed a notice of appearance on behalf of Wojciechowski. Court records also show that an arraignment is currently scheduled for May 14.