Terlingua
Rique Rivera is out on bond after his January 5 arrest for charges of child endangerment. Rivera was also charged with cruelty to animals and unlawful restraint of a dog. Last week, Rivera was arrested after citizens rescued 37 puppies and 9 adult dogs from filthy conditions at his residence on Terlingua Ranch. Rivera’s children were not present at the time, but the condition of the property prompted Brewster County Sheriff Dodson to issue charges against Rivera.
In Texas, child endangerment is a felony offense that carries a possible sentence of six months to 20 years in jail and fines up to $10,000. Rivera is also facing other, unspecified charges, according to a Facebook post by the Brewster County Sheriff’s Office.
It is unclear if Rivera’s wife, Ashley Cromarty, is also facing charges. She had previously left the state with their children. The sheriff’s office did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Following his arrest, Rivera has lost his job at the Longhorn restaurant in Terlingua. With significant help from local volunteers, all of the rescued puppies and dogs have since found foster homes within the community and as far north as Chicago.