Wayne Hsiung, co-founder of animal rights group Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) was found guilty on one felony charge and two misdemeanor charges, related to incidents in which he trespassed in an attempt to remove animals from agrifood operations.
According to Northern California Public Media, Hsiung, at attorney who represented himself in the trial, was convicted on one count of felony conspiracy and two counts of misdemeanor trespass for his role in what DxE refers to as rescue operations. He was cleared of a second felony misdemeanor charge.
The verdict was reached November 2 at a court in Sonoma County, California. His sentencing has been scheduled for November 30. Meanwhile, he remains in custody at Sonoma County’s Main Adult Detention Facility without the option for bail.
Hsiung has a long history of legal troubles related to his involvement with DxE.
In April 2018, he was arrested on suspicion of trespassing at a Whole Foods Market in Boulder, Colorado, for allegedly trying to film customers and employees while he and another suspect asked questions about eating meat.
One month later, he and five others were arrested on suspicion of stealing live turkeys from a farm in Sanpete County, Utah.
Earlier this year, two DxE members – Alexandra Paul and Alicia Santurio – were acquitted on charges of misdemeanor theft after removing two Foster Farms chickens from a truck. The two alleged they took the birds because they believed they were suffering.
In other noteworthy activity, a DxE member, Matt Johnson, was able to secure live television interviews with Fox Business and Newsmax, convincing hosts of the respective networks that he was then-Smithfield Foods CEO Dennis Organ and Tyson Foods CEO Donnie King.
