Deputy Sheriff and Safety, Security and Environmental Manager Take the Stand on Day 3 of Sonoma County Trial for DxE Operative Charged with Conspiracy, Burglary, and Theft

Zoe Rosenberg faces felony conspiracy charge in Sonoma County Superior Court case

Petaluma, Calif. — The third day of the trial of Zoe Rosenberg, a Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) operative, continued in Sonoma County Superior Court today following opening arguments on Monday, followed by testimony from a deputy sheriff and cybersecurity head on Tuesday (the court recessed on Wednesday). Rosenberg faces one felony conspiracy charge and three misdemeanor counts, including trespassing and theft.

Today’s testimony included additional remarks from a Sonoma County Sheriff’s Deputy, who previously confirmed that photos taken of Rosenberg and posted on social media were at Petaluma Poultry’s processing facility. His testimony was followed by that of Allison Howlett, the Safety, Security and Environmental Manager for Petaluma Poultry. Howlett remarked on the five separate break-ins to the Petaluma Poultry facility by Rosenberg and her associates, and her recollection discovering GPS tracking devices on Petaluma Poultry transport trucks. Howlett further noted that confidential documents were stolen from private offices, a breach that disrupted and temporarily paused day-to-day operations at Petaluma Poultry, impacting all of their nearly 250 employees.

“The evolution of this week’s testimony continues to crystallize what we all know: that this was a multi-pronged scheme that is far greater than the theft of chickens,” said Jennifer Beretta, a spokesperson for the Sonoma County Family Farmers Alliance who is also part of a multi-generational organic farming family. “Video footage of the heist showed the indiscriminate taking of chickens, which, coupled with additional evidence gathered as part of the investigation, was just the tip of the iceberg after numerous prior break-ins to Petaluma Poultry. This was a sophisticated, coordinated, and premediated effort, and in the end, there seemed to be no legitimate justification behind the theft of chickens pulled from transport drawers at random.”

Poultry is part of DxE’s ongoing intimidation campaign to eliminate animal agriculture in Sonoma County. The defendant’s reckless actions include:

• Breaking into chicken houses under cover of darkness to steal livestock, recklessly jeopardizing biosecurity and animal health.

• Accessing company data and privileged information through private computer systems.

• Harassing associates and their families at private residences.

• Disrupting businesses and restaurants across Northern California.

Petaluma Poultry is a recognized leader in free-range and organic poultry, with farms and facilities subject to rigorous audits and government oversight. The company remains united with its associates and neighbors against these illegal tactics and will continue to defend the region’s food supply, the importance of local agriculture, and the future of responsible animal farming.

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Media Contact: rob@muelrathpublicaffairs.com