The arrest of a Maryland landlord, Sir Leander Evans Gamble, 57, of Waldorf, has led to a shocking discovery of multiple animals being kept in neglectful conditions on his property.
Deputies arrested Gamble on July 3 after responding to a reported assault involving a firearm at a property on Penjack Place. Investigators said Gamble confronted three people renting a trailer on his property, physically assaulted them, and then retrieved a handgun from his residence.
Gamble allegedly pointed the weapon at the victims and threatened to harm them before deputies took him into custody at the scene. The victims, a woman, her 28-year-old son, and his girlfriend, who was eight months pregnant at the time of the incident, have been left traumatized and financially strained.
A search warrant was executed at Gamble's residence, where authorities recovered six handguns. The investigation took another turn when Charles County Animal Control officers found multiple animals allegedly being kept in neglectful conditions, including an alligator, a caiman, a snake, an emu, dogs, cats, and pigs.
Animal control officers determined the animals were being kept in conditions that did not comply with Maryland animal cruelty statutes. All the animals were removed from the property, and Animal Control's investigation into their welfare remains active.
The renters also alleged that a dog named Carter died after Gamble failed to provide air conditioning in the trailer. Animal Control has the dog's cause of death. Gamble was charged with aggravated assault, and additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues.
Gamble was being held without bond at the Charles County Detention Center. The situation has raised concerns about the welfare of the animals and the tenants who were renting the trailer.
