Man pleads guilty to defrauding grieving pet owners

Rodney Ward admitted to taking money from pet owners and returning false ashes

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Rodney Ward pleaded guilty in court on Tuesday to charges related to a scheme where he defrauded dozens of pet owners through a fake pet crematory business. Authorities allege Ward took money from grieving pet owners, collected their animals' remains, and returned false ashes to the owners.

Why it matters

This case highlights the vulnerability of grieving pet owners and the need for stronger regulations and oversight in the pet cremation industry to prevent such fraudulent activities from occurring. It also raises questions about the emotional toll on victims who trusted Ward with their beloved pets' remains.

The details

Ward was accused of operating a fraudulent pet cremation business, where instead of properly cremating the animals, he discarded some of the bodies and misled owners into believing they had received their pets' ashes. A search of Ward's home uncovered a hearse parked in the driveway with more than three dozen decomposing animals. In total, 56 victims were identified in court, many of whom still don't know what happened to their pets' remains.

  • On Tuesday, Rodney Ward pleaded guilty to the charges in court in Towson.
  • Ward's wife, Yalanda Ward, also faces charges, and her trial is scheduled to begin in May.

The players

Rodney Ward

The man accused of defrauding dozens of pet owners through a fake pet crematory business.

Yalanda Ward

Rodney Ward's wife, who also faces charges related to the fraudulent pet cremation business.

Sharon Thomas

One of the victims, who said she will never be the same after the incident.

Beverly Rassen

A victim who gave her dog, Rusty, to Ward, believing he would properly cremate the animal.

Nikki Pickens

A victim who still has unanswered questions about what happened to her pet's remains.

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What they’re saying

“I'm never going to be the same. I feel like it was my fault that happened to my dog.”

— Sharon Thomas, Victim

“I gave Rodney my baby. I trusted him to bring back my baby, but he threw him on the side of the road, just like he was trash.”

— Beverly Rassen, Victim

“There are still so many unanswered questions. Why did you leave them on the side of the road? Why did you pack them in a hearse? And for the rest of us, where are our pets?”

— Nikki Pickens, Victim

What’s next

Ward will remain in jail until his sentencing next month, where he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and more than $13,000 in restitution. Yalanda Ward's trial is scheduled to begin in May.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for stronger regulations and oversight in the pet cremation industry to prevent such fraudulent activities from occurring and to protect grieving pet owners from further emotional trauma. It also raises questions about the importance of transparency and accountability in the industry to ensure pet owners can trust that their beloved animals are being treated with the utmost care and respect.