A Nevada man who allegedly tortured a kitten to death inside a San Francisco ATM vestibule is now the subject of an arrest warrant after failing to appear for his scheduled court arraignment.
Warrant Issued for No-Show Defendant
San Francisco courts issued an arrest warrant Monday for 33-year-old William Ohlson of Reno, Nevada. Ohlson was scheduled to be arraigned on multiple charges but never appeared in court. Law enforcement officials had arrested him on July 14 after serving a search warrant at his hotel on the 100 block of Fell Street. The charges stem from an incident in which police say he violently tortured a small kitten to death inside an ATM vestibule located in the 1800 block of Market Street around 2 a.m.
Nevada man William Ohlson, accused of violently torturing a small kitten to death inside an ATM vestibule in San Francisco, is now wanted on an arrest warrant after he failed to appear in court. More here: https://t.co/pfpPjeCUav pic.twitter.com/HVgV7dTLsu
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) July 21, 2026
According to San Francisco police, Ohlson fled the scene with the dead animal after the alleged torture occurred. Investigators later tracked him to his hotel location, where officers moved to execute the arrest warrant. When police attempted to take him into custody, Ohlson allegedly refused to comply with lawful orders.
Rooftop Chase Preceded Initial Arrest
The arrest itself became a dramatic pursuit when Ohlson reportedly led officers on a chase through the hotel building. Police say he fled to the roof of an adjacent building before officers finally apprehended him. Video footage captured the moment of his arrest on July 14. He now faces charges including animal abuse and resisting arrest, among other offenses. His failure to appear in court has added another layer of legal jeopardy to his situation.
Animal Cruelty Laws and Consequences
California maintains strict animal cruelty statutes that classify intentional torture or killing of animals as serious criminal offenses. Penalties can include substantial jail time and significant fines, particularly in cases involving deliberate torture. The charges against Ohlson represent some of the most severe animal abuse allegations prosecutors can file. His decision to skip his court appearance complicates his legal position and demonstrates potential flight risk. Authorities now face the additional challenge of locating and re-arresting him to ensure he faces the pending charges. The case highlights ongoing concerns about animal welfare and the enforcement of protection laws in urban environments.
What This Means
Law enforcement officials are actively searching for Ohlson following the warrant issuance. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is encouraged to contact San Francisco police. The failure to appear charge carries its own penalties separate from the underlying animal cruelty allegations. This case underscores the importance of defendant accountability in the criminal justice system and the serious legal consequences of animal abuse.