An anti-fur activist was sentenced Tuesday to 21 months in federal prison and ordered to pay a whopping restitution figure of $423,477 in damages to 13 people and businesses which sustained heavy damages and losses.
Nicole Kissane, 29, formerly of Escondido, didn’t say anything before U.S. District Court Judge Larry Burns exceeded the prosecutor’s recommendation of 18 months and imposed 21 months.
Burns sentenced her boyfriend, Joseph Brian Buddenberg, 32, to two years May 2, 2016 and both will share the restitution order. He has a parole date of Jan. 26, 2018.
The judge told Kissane about what happened after she and Buddenberg released 500 minks from a farm in Iowa and how 130 of them were killed by cars or from heat stroke in just one day in Aug., 2013. Burns said the owner had to pick up dead minks on the road and many had their backs broken but were still alive, according to the mink rancher.
Burns said the pair committed “a premeditated campaign of terror” to various people or businesses they singled out, such as slashing the tires of meat distribution trucks or spray painting “animal murderer” on the East County homes of the owner and parents of a fur business in San Diego.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Parmley said the couple committed shoplifting at various stores to obtain supplies to commit vandalism. Burns posed the question why would the couple shoplift at REI, a retail outdoor gear and sporting goods store, which has no link to the fur industry.
Burns said the 21-month sentence for Kissane “may deter others” from reckless vandalism. He said both defendants may be paying the restitution amount for the rest of their lives. They are not members of any animal rights organization.
Kissane’s attorney, Reuben Cahn, said she had “extraordinary” remorse after she learned how so many minks she had freed had horrible deaths. Cahn blamed Buddenberg, saying he had dominated and abused her.
“She’s learned her lesson,” said Cahn, who asked for a 15-month term. “She wants to change her life.”
Kissane was ordered to pay $30,000 in damages to Kimberley Graf and her parents whose homes and businesses were damaged. Graf showed photos to reporters of the extensive spray painting, window damages, and acid that was poured on their property.
“We have a right to our legal, established business,” said Kimberley Graf.
A young woman supporter of Kissane yelled “murderer” to Graf and her parents while they talked with reporters in the downtown courthouse. The woman waited until she was on the elevator and the door was closing when she yelled the slur.
Both Buddenberg and Kissane pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act.
