August 11, 2026

Sondra Scott and Two by Two 4U are aware of the August 6, 2026, article published by The Independent entitled: “Two baby giraffes went missing from a Virginia zoo. The feds say a double-crossing informant helped keep them hidden.” This article relies on a federal search warrant affidavit filed under seal and was based on information obtained by law enforcement 16 months ago – early in their investigation. This affidavit contains numerous false allegations against Sondra Scott that were entirely manufactured by the “double-crossing” informant – Patrick Robinson that have proven untrue as the investigation has developed.

The US Fish & Wildlife Agent stated in his affidavit that Scott was “an active target of multiple cases currently being investigated by USFWS for wildlife trafficking in violation of the Lacey Act.” This statement was based entirely on false information provided by Patrick Robinson. Developing evidence will show that Robinson was working with US Fish and Wildlife as a cooperating private individual (CPI) in an effort to receive favorable treatment on felony charges in Tennessee. That was his motivation for lying about Scott (and others). Robinson exploited his position as a CPI to advance his own interests while falsely accusing innocent people of federal crimes. Additionally, these allegations against Scott were made by Robinson immediately after a felony police report was filed against him by Scott and others on April 3, 2025 for allegations including a fraudulent check, a fact he hid from US Fish & Wildlife.

For months, Robinson misled U.S. Fish and Wildlife agents by providing false, incomplete, manipulated, or misleading information. His credibility, motives, and conduct as a CPI must be thoroughly investigated and he must be prosecuted for every offense supported by the evidence. Scott will cooperate fully with federal prosecutors and law enforcement in any investigation into Robinson’s conduct.

To be clear, Scott had no knowledge or participation in the transport or housing of the Natural Bridge Zoo baby giraffes. Also, Robinson’s accusation that Scott sent him sexually explicit photographs is absolutely false. It was made by Robinson while aggressively attempting to retrieve his telephone from law enforcement to prevent them from uncovering his deceptive schemes. That is the reason he grabbed his phone from the agent and then deleted all messages before the agent could review them.

In contrast, Scott is cooperating with law enforcement and has provided all communications with Robinson. The forensic evidence unequivocally shows she did not engage in any illegal activity or send sexually explicit photographs to Robinson. His statements to the contrary are slanderous lies.

The reporting by The Independent was irresponsible, one-sided, and fundamentally unfair to Scott. The article’s central premise was that Robinson was an alleged “double-crossing” federal informant who betrayed the investigators with whom he had agreed to cooperate. Nevertheless, the reporter contacted and quoted Robinson—the very individual whose honesty and conduct were called into question—while failing to contact Scott before publishing serious and highly prejudicial allegations about her. Had a simple call been made to Scott prior to the report being posted, the humiliation and online harassment she received as a result of its publication could have been avoided. This was not balanced journalism, but appears to be a coordinated effort to harm Scott – an effort in which The Independent and its reporters are complicit. Responsible journalism requires more than repeating inflammatory allegations from a sealed investigative filing—particularly when those allegations originate with a person accused of betraying law enforcement and manipulating the investigation.

These facts raise serious concerns about the motivations for the article. The government routinely fights the release of search warrant affidavits, pointing out the damage their release can do to uncharged individuals or ongoing investigations. Yet this affidavit, clearly marked as filed under seal, is linked in an online article. We are calling for an immediate federal investigation into how The Independent and its reporters obtained a document that was filed under seal in a federal courthouse in Tennessee. If the government truly believes in the importance of the privacy of search warrant affidavits as they have claimed in thousands of cases over the years, an immediate investigation should uncover how this affidavit became unsealed and how the reporter was alerted to its’ existence. We ask the investigation look into whether the Tennessee affidavit’s existence was unlawfully leaked by those of whom Scott has been publicly critical.

We have asked The Independent to respond within 24 hours as to how they obtained a sealed federal search warrant affidavit and why they published false and defamatory information. Their only response was through counsel advising they would respond, but needed more than 24 hours. Scott simply can’t wait for The Independent to investigate their own story to set the record straight.

In addition to calling for these criminal investigations into Robinson and the leak of the sealed search warrant affidavit, Scott and Two by Two 4U are actively pursuing civil litigation against Robinson and anyone found to have knowingly participated in manufacturing and publishing this false and defamatory information. That litigation seeks relief for defamation, reputational injury, interference with business relationships, abuse of legal or investigative processes, constitutional violations, and all damages and causes of action supported by the evidence.

Two by Two 4U remains unwavering in its commitment to animal welfare, lawful animal care, regulatory compliance, and fair treatment for animal owners and caretakers. Two by Two 4U will continue advocating for humane animal care while also insisting that government officials, cooperating witnesses, and members of the media comply with the law, respect constitutional protections, and tell the truth.

Advocating for due process and challenging government overreach are not inconsistent with animal welfare. Meaningful animal protection depends upon accurate evidence, honest investigations, properly interpreted laws, and enforcement decisions based upon facts rather than manufactured accusations. False allegations do not protect animals. They divert public resources, damage legitimate animal-welfare efforts, undermine confidence in government investigations, and injure innocent people.

Sondra Scott is deeply grateful and overwhelmed by the support she has received from clients, colleagues, animal-care professionals, friends, veterans, advocates, and members of the public.

“I cannot adequately express how much your support has meant to me during this extraordinarily difficult time. I may not be able to respond personally to every call, text, email, or message, but please know that I am forever grateful. Your encouragement has reminded me that the truth matters, that integrity matters, and that no one should be afraid to defend their name when they have been falsely accused.”

William White

Boles Holmes White LLC

wwhite@bhw.law