West Boca Man Arrested for Animal Cruelty After Horses Found in Deplorable Conditions

James Marinakis, a 74-year-old resident of Boca Raton, was arrested on November 21, 2025, facing multiple charges of animal cruelty.

 

The arrest followed an investigation by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBSO) into the conditions of horses on his property.

 

On October 28, 2025, PBSO received a complaint about several horses appearing severely underweight or injured at a property in the 12200 block of 200th Street South.

 

The following day, detectives executed a search warrant and discovered ten horses in poor condition.

 

Several were severely malnourished or injured, and the stalls were found in deplorable, unsanitary conditions.

 

Eight of the ten horses were secured and transported to Animal Care and Control for emergency veterinary care; two horses could not be secured at that time.

 

Equine veterinarians later confirmed that all eight seized horses suffered from malnutrition, poor body condition, untreated injuries, rain rot, overgrown hooves, dehydration, dental disease, and, in one case, a large, maggot-infested wound requiring surgery.

 

These findings were consistent with long-term neglect.

 

Based on the evidence, detectives established probable cause to charge Marinakis with five counts of unlawful abandonment or confinement of an animal and three counts of aggravated animal cruelty.

 

He was arrested and booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on November 21, 2025.

 

Marinakis has a history of animal cruelty allegations dating back to at least 1999.

 

In 2004, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of cruelty to animals and abandonment of animals.

 

In 2014, three mares and a foal were removed from his care after being found in similar conditions as the recently confiscated horses.

 

Authorities urge anyone witnessing animal neglect or abuse to report it immediately to local law enforcement or animal control agencies.

 

Community vigilance is crucial in preventing such cases and ensuring the welfare of animals.