Asheville Man Found Guilty of Felony Cruelty to Animals

Asheville -- July 2022: After a three-day trial, a Buncombe County jury today found 42-year-old Scott Everett Ford guilty. Ford was given an initial eight-month active term,

followed by a two-year suspended sentence and probation after being found guilty of simple assault, felony animal cruelty, and felony obstruction of justice.

The victim was standing on the side of an exit ramp at Smokey Park Highway and I40 on May 17, 2021, around 4:40, according to evidence presented at trial by the Buncombe County District Attorney's Office. OMN Scott Ford was driving a 2005 Ford F-150 at the time. A bystander recorded video of this, which was extensively shared in the Western North Carolina Community.
The truck belonged to Ford-owned Classic Event Rental, according to detectives with the Asheville Police Department's Major Case Unit. Detectives requested and were granted search warrants allowing them to search Ford's office, truck, and phone. Ford impeded the investigation by removing official records that listed the F-150's driver. Internet Crimes Detectives used forensic evidence to establish the deletion of files.
Ford admitted operating the truck throughout his testimony at trial. Ford additionally stated in his testimony that he wanted to harass someone who was homeless and that he planned to hit them with a golf ball. Detectives were able to find a golf ball on the victim and a witness who could identify Ford as the driver.