GENEVA, Florida – The State Attorney’s Office has formally charged a Geneva man with arson and animal cruelty, accusing him of burning down his home with 17 dogs inside.
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office arrested 40-year-old Terrance F. Banks on September 28. Investigators said he intentionally set the house on fire. Fifteen of the dogs died and two others were badly burned. A State Fire Marshal investigator found that many of the dogs were trapped in locked crates.
Charges
The State Attorney’s Office for Seminole County charged Banks with:
- One count of arson of a dwelling, a first-degree felony;
- 15 counts of cruelty to animals resulting in death, pain or suffering, a third-degree felony;
- Two counts of cruelty to animals resulting in pain or suffering, also a third-degree felony.
Banks faces up to 115 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
Court hearing
An attorney for Banks, a self-employed breeder, entered a not guilty plea at a November 10 arraignment hearing. Banks remains in the Seminole County Jail without bond on the arson charge, pending a court-ordered mental health evaluation.
What investigators say happened
Sheriff’s investigators said Banks admitted to pouring gasoline on floors throughout the house and then using a lighter and a piece of paper to start the fire.
As fire crews and sheriff’s deputies arrived, Banks recorded Facebook Live videos. In them, he talked about witchcraft, corruption and getting no help with the dogs, investigators said.
First responders saved two “red lion tri” dogs, which are now recovering from burns.
According to his Facebook page, Banks specialized in breeding “Red Lion Tri” dogs, a heavily muscled pitbull variant bred to weigh up to 150 to 200 pounds.
Banks is accused, not convicted. The case remains pending in Seminole County.
Related coverage of animal cruelty cases across the region is available on our site.