FBI Accused of Entrapping Founder of Largest No-Kill Animal Sanctuary

Leo Grillo, 77, faces federal kidnapping charges based solely on testimony of fraud defendant James Clark

Mar. 20, 2026 at 5:04am

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Leo Grillo, the 77-year-old founder of DELTA Rescue, the world's largest no-kill animal sanctuary, is in federal custody facing a kidnapping charge. The sole witness against Grillo is James Clark, an Arizona man under federal investigation for defrauding elderly investors out of $3.35 million. Grillo's defense claims the FBI entrapped him through Clark, who allegedly fabricated evidence and coerced Grillo into an incriminating situation.

Why it matters

Grillo has dedicated his life to rescuing and caring for over 1,500 animals, mostly pit bulls, at his 115-acre sanctuary in Acton, California. His arrest and potential conviction could lead to the euthanasia of these animals, which Grillo has vowed to never allow. The case also raises concerns about the FBI's tactics in building a case against an elderly, non-violent offender based on the word of a known fraud defendant.

The details

According to the report, the FBI's case against Grillo rests solely on the testimony of James Clark, an Arizona man who ran a precious metals IRA business that went bankrupt in 2024, defrauding elderly investors out of $3.35 million. Clark is cooperating with the FBI in hopes of receiving leniency in his own case. The report alleges that Clark fabricated evidence, including a doctored photo, and coerced Grillo into an incriminating situation, while the FBI's recording equipment conveniently failed to capture key conversations. Grillo's defense claims he is the victim of entrapment.

  • In November 2024, a Los Angeles jury awarded $6.7 million to a former DELTA employee, Adriana Duarte Valentines, for wrongful termination.
  • In March 2026, Grillo was arrested and taken into federal custody on a kidnapping charge.

The players

Leo Grillo

The 77-year-old founder of DELTA Rescue, the world's largest no-kill animal sanctuary, who is facing federal kidnapping charges.

James Clark

An Arizona man under federal investigation for defrauding elderly investors out of $3.35 million, who is the sole witness against Grillo in the kidnapping case.

Adriana Duarte Valentines

A former DELTA employee who was awarded $6.7 million in a wrongful termination lawsuit against Grillo's organization, though the jury was not allowed to hear evidence that she had entered the country illegally and allegedly stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in animal supplies.

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What they’re saying

“When 1000 dogs get euthanized for the lies of James Clark, while Grillo remains in a Los Angeles jail, someone is going to look into this case and see that they based it on lies.”

— Frank Parlato, Investigative journalist

What’s next

Grillo's defense is claiming entrapment, and the case is currently under appeal. If the charges are not dropped, the potential euthanasia of the 1,500 animals at DELTA Rescue could spark outrage and lead to a deeper investigation into the FBI's tactics and the credibility of the key witness, James Clark.

The takeaway

This case highlights the potential for abuse of power by law enforcement, the dangers of relying on the testimony of a known fraud defendant, and the tragic consequences that could befall hundreds of rescued animals if the founder of their sanctuary is wrongfully convicted.