Leo Grillo, a former actor turned animal rights advocate, has been arrested on charges related to an alleged kidnapping plot against a former employee of his animal sanctuary. The suspect, aged 77 and hailing from Acton, California, is facing serious allegations that he sought to abduct this employee, whose 2021 lawsuit against Grillo’s organisation resulted in a $6.7 million settlement.
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On March 3, 2026, federal authorities apprehended Grillo in Burbank, California, following a meeting with an individual he purportedly hired to execute the kidnapping. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California has laid out the details, stating that the attempted kidnapping charge carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison.
Grillo founded the Dedication and Everlasting Love to Animals (D.E.L.T.A. Rescue), reputed to be one of the largest “No Kill, Care-for-Life” sanctuaries in the world. However, his legal troubles began when a former employee, referred to as Victim 1 in legal documents, claimed she was unfairly dismissed after taking maternity leave in February 2020. She subsequently sued the sanctuary, leading to a jury award of $5.7 million in compensatory damages and $1 million in punitive damages, which was later reduced to a total of $2.9 million by a judge.
Frustrated by the outcome of the lawsuit, Grillo’s alleged motivations for kidnapping included coercing the employee into reconsidering the settlement and preventing her from testifying in court if his appeals were successful. According to the complaint, Grillo expressed these sentiments during conversations regarding his intentions.
The plot reportedly unfolded when Grillo contacted a man identified in the complaint as Cooperating Witness 1, who was under investigation for unrelated fraud charges and was collaborating with law enforcement. He conveyed to authorities that Grillo was seeking assistance to “organise and execute” a kidnapping plan to address his lawsuit concerns. Allegedly, Grillo offered $100,000 for the operation, referring to it as a “documentary” to disguise its true intent.
The two men purportedly met several times between January and February 2026 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center to discuss the details of the plan. The covert nature of their discussions raised suspicions, as Grillo expressed concerns about potential surveillance and used coded language to obscure their intentions.
During their final meeting on March 3, Grillo was presented with a fraudulent image depicting a man and woman restrained with zip ties. The witness informed him that additional funds were necessary to facilitate the kidnapping, as the operatives involved were still in the United States and had not yet crossed into Mexico. Grillo allegedly agreed to pay an extra $10,000 to ensure the plot proceeded.
As the details of this scheme came to light, law enforcement had been monitoring the communications between Grillo and the witness for several weeks. His arrest occurred just after agreeing to the additional payment, with the FBI closing in after obtaining a search warrant for their investigation.
In a subsequent interrogation, Grillo contended that the payments made were for a separate project and not linked to a kidnapping. His public defender has yet to provide a statement regarding the case.
Grillo’s acting career included a role in the 2006 film “Zyzzyx Road,” which infamously holds the record for the lowest grossing film of all time, amassing only $30. Following his acting career, Grillo became known for his dedication to animal rescue efforts.
As this case unfolds, it raises significant questions about Grillo’s choices and the lengths he was willing to go to combat legal challenges. With serious felony charges hanging over him, Grillo’s future remains uncertain as legal proceedings advance.