Sexual predator, James Lyons, arrested again on bestiality charges

FLORIDA -- A 52-year-old St. Johns County sexual predator was arrested for the second time in a week on additional charges of cruelty to animals, sexual activities involving animals and failure to register as a sexual predator.

James Lee Lyons was served an arrest warrant Thursday morning and booked into jail on bonds totaling $61,000.

James Lee Lyons

Last Friday, Lyons was arrested on charges of animal cruelty and sexual activity involving an animal after a neighbor discovered injuries to one of his dogs, deputies said. They said a veterinarian examined the dog and was highly suspicious for animal abuse and bestiality.

Lyons was arrested and released that evening after posting $11,000 bond.

One of Lyons' pre-trial release conditions that was ordered by a judge was that he not have any pets at his home.

Animal Control officers responded to the U.S. 1 South home and removed two additional dogs that were inside Lyons' home, deputies said. The two dogs were taken to Matanzas River Animal Hospital for examination.

A pit bull belonging to Lyons did not show any injuries, but a 42-pound Terrier mix female that Lyons claimed was a stray had sustained injuries, according to the veterinarian.

"The injuries to this dog's genitals were appalling," Dr. Nicholas said. "There is no doubt that this dog suffered a great amount of pain. The suffering that this dog endured and continues to endure during the healing process cannot be overstated."

Following treatment, the Terrier mix (pictured, above) is being cared for by county Animal Control and will be offered for adoption and/or rescue at a later time. The pit bull will also be available for rescue.

Lyons was also charged with failure to register as a sexual predator. Evidence obtained by detectives during the initial investigation revealed that he had been staying at the home on numerous occasions since the beginning of the year, deputies said.

During that time, he was registered at a St. Augustine Shores address. It was only after his arrest last week that he registered the temporary address, deputies said.

(news4jax.com - Aug 1, 2013)

Earlier:

• St. Johns County man accused of bestiality

DC Number: V06954

Name: JAMES LEE LYONS

ALIAS: JIM LYONS, JAMES LYONS

Race: WHITE

Sex: MALE

Hair Color: BROWN

Eye Color: GREEN

Height: 5'06"

Weight: 152 lbs.

Birth Date: 09/15/1960

Offense date: January 1, 1997. Crime: "Sexual battery by adult/victim less than 12 (attempted)". Sentenced January 12, 2007 to 13 years, 7 months and 4 days. 

Offense date: January 1, 1997. Crime: "Sexual battery, minor, family/custodial authority". Sentenced January 12, 2007 to 13 years, 7 months and 4 days. 

Offense date: January 1, 2013. Crime: "Sexual predator, fail to register". He was sentenced on January 29, 2014 to 5 years. 

Offense date: July 20, 2013. Crime: "Aggravated animal cruelty". He was sentenced along with the above failure to register on January 29, 2014. He was only given 3 years for raping the dogs. But failing to send his new address in to his probation officer? Five years. Our laws are so backwards. 

His incarceration history shows that he went to prison Jan 12, 1999 and was released December 29, 2008. He then went back into custody December 23, 2009 and was released again on June 14, 2011. 

On February 4, 2014 it is listed "Out of Dept. Custody by Court Order". Then it says a detainer was ordered by the Indian River County Sheriff's Office on July 15, 2014. It says his Current Release Date is September 1, 2021 but it does not say where he is incarcerated. 

(Bailbondcity.com)