TOWSON, Md. — A Middle River man faces animal cruelty charges for illegally possessing and mistreating an infant spider monkey and lemur.
Baltimore County Police began investigating Jayden Quanez Evans, 25, in June after noticing him and others posing with the primates on Facebook.
Investigators found that Evans owned an online-based company called Tarzan Exoticz, which sold personalized photo shoots with the animals.
It turns out Evans and a Baltimore-based photographer named Vernon Edward Crowfey III, who owns Photogeniks Vee, traveled to North Carolina, where they claimed to have rented the primates from a dealer out of Florida, under the false premise they were getting a license for "scientific, educational, or commercial purposes."
Two men charged in connection with Towson photoshoot featuring illegal primates
According to charging documents, Evans acted as the handler for the animals while Crowfey took the photos.
After speaking with Maryland Natural Resources and the USDA, detectives learned whatever licenses Evans and Crowfey may have possessed were indeed phony.
Non-human primates are illegal to own, possess, buy, or trade in Maryland, per a law passed in 2024.
“They are illegal for reasons. It’s for their own safety and for our safety," Jessica Lanzillotti, executive director of the Maryland SPCA said. "We want to make sure that they don’t spread disease to us but also though we don’t spread disease them. Primates, especially monkeys, they can also grow big and aggressive.”
Police got wind of a June 30 photo shoot at the Towson Town Center parking garage. During the shoot, Evans and Crowfey allegedly created a ring of fire, causing burn damage to the mall's property.
Mall security told police the shoot was not authorized and that neither Evans nor Crowfey had permission to be there.
In an interview with WMAR-2 News, Crowfey claims an on-site security guard gave verbal permission.
"Maybe what we did probably was definitely, you know, not the smartest thing to do but all in all it definitely wasn't malicious in no type of way," Crowfey told WMAR-2 News reporter Blair Sabol.
"Did you know that possessing primates in the state of Maryland is illegal?" Sabol asked.
"Well, I did know that, but again, I'm not the animal handler, so that's not really my concern because I'm just a photographer," Crowfey answered. "You know, my friend's defense, he didn't possess them, he didn't purchase them. So, you know, he was babysitting the animals."
Later, an undercover detective reached Evans on social media to arrange a photo shoot with the lemur and spider monkey.
Despite acknowledging that possession of the animals was illegal in Maryland, Evans later agreed to the shoot for $500.
While leaving his home in Middle River on the day of the shoot, police were there to arrest Evans.
Inside a grocery bag was the lemur, while the spider monkey was found in a mesh carrier. Both appeared to be extremely malnourished, according to charging documents which described the monkey's spinal cord "fully exposed" through its fur.
Investigators discovered several reptiles and other exotic animals inside Evans' home. An iguana and bearded dragon, both in poor health, were surrendered, per police spokesperson Joy Lepola-Stewart.
While Evans was being arrested, Crowfey showed up and was placed in custody as well for his alleged role in the Towson mall photo shoot.
Evans was released on his own recognizance and is next due in court on August 14.
When contacted by WMAR-2 News, Evans initially answered, but quickly hung up the phone.
His attorney, Granville Templeton III, later issued this statement defending Evans.
"For years, Mr. Evans, an avid animal lover, has volunteered his time introducing the public to exotic animals. His love for exotic animals has afforded him opportunities to appear on television and participate in community events, including school programs and holiday events. His goal has always been to help people feel less afraid of animals and more informed about their care."
Crowfey, meanwhile, is out on a 5,000 unsecured personal bond.
Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier reached out to WMAR providing this statement reacting to the case.
“The way animals are treated reflects our values as a community, and Baltimore County will not tolerate cruelty or neglect. I want to thank the Baltimore County Police Department, Animal Services, and our federal partners for their outstanding work in this investigation. I also want to thank the Maryland Zoo for providing expert care to the most fragile animals in this case and giving them the specialized attention they need as they recover. Baltimore County will continue to support strong enforcement of laws that protect animals from abuse, prevent the illegal possession and trafficking of wildlife, and hold accountable those who exploit defenseless animals for profit.”
