Just after 2 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies were assigned to investigate an anonymous tip regarding the apparent abuse of a calf at an unknown location.
Deputies reviewed a video that was being shared on different social media sites and saw two males allegedly abusing a calf and discharging a firearm near its head.
Suspects were eventually identified as 23-year-old Kyle Abrigo and 19-year-old Nathan Chambliss, both of Cottonwood.
The video was described as follows:
The suspect reportedly identified as Abrigo was seen shaking the calf and grabbing its ears and then the video reportedly showed him kicking the calf two or three times, with one kick being a downward stomp toward’s the calf’s head.
The suspect reportedly identified as Abrigo appears to pull out a black handgun, placed it next to the calf’s head and appears to discharge a round into the ground near the calf.
The calf appears to flinch.
The suspect reportedly identified as Chambliss appears to swing the calf using his hands and appaers to hit it a few times in the face before grabbing the calf and appaearing to slam it on the ground.
The suspect reportedly identified as Chambliss appears to hold the calf in a choke hold, then appears to pull a firearm from his hip and pointed the firearm near the calf’s face before appearing to discharging a round. Both suspects appear to be laughing throughout the incident.
Both suspects took turns videotaping the other during the acts of abuse. Deputies noted the name Nathan Chambliss at the top portion of the video and learned Abrigo was the second suspect.
During a records check, deputies found an address for Abrigo in Cottonwood. A family member summoned him to the house and he was arrested. He was shown the video and admitted participating.
After checking multiple addresses in the Verde Valley, Chambliss was found at a location in Cottonwood and also arrested.
Both suspects admitted drinking during the incident which occurred on the Perkinsville Ranch area near Mingus Mountain. The calf was later located essentially uninjured and its owner notified.
Abrigo and Chambliss were booked Aug. 28 into the Yavapai County Detention Center in Camp Verde on charges including cruelty to animals [recklessly subjects any animal to cruel mistreatment, a misdemeanor; cruelty to animals, for intentionally or knowingly subjecting any animal to cruel mistreatment, a felony; disorderly conduct for recklessly handling, displaying or discharging a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, a felony, and in the case of Chambliss, minor consumption of alcohol.
Both have $1,000 bonds and are pending release.
Contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at (928) 771-3260.
