Investigators said they hope to clear up several cases with this week's arrest of a convicted sex offender.

What began last month as a search for a stolen lawn mower led police to a home in the 2000 block of Walker Street Extension and the discovery of about 20 extremely malnourished pit bulls, according to Richmond County sheriff's Lt. Tony Walden.

They also found Demetrice Antroine McBride, 27, who served an almost three-year sentence for committing statutory rape in 1999 and was not supposed to be living at the home because of his conviction.

He has been charged with theft by receiving stolen property in the lawn mower case; seven counts of cruelty to animals; one count of no proof of rabies vaccination; and one count of selling animals without a license.

"As soon as we got through the gate there were two puppies dead in the yard, and the rest were barely hanging on," Lt. Walden said. "They were skin and bones."

The animals were seized by Augusta Animal Services, and one was euthanized, according to Director Diane Downs.

"It was in extremely bad shape, extremely emaciated," she said.

Outside the home, police found an old car containing the animals' food -- piles of molded bread and just one or two bags of dog food.

Investigators also found a number of lawn mowers, weed eaters and other yard equipment. Lt. Walden said they served the search warrant because they believed the items were stolen in a string of burglaries in Augusta's Country Club Hills area and the nearby Harrisburg neighborhood.

Mr. McBride could face additional charges of theft and violating the sex offender registry, Lt. Walden said.

"That's not the address he's supposed to be at," the officer said.

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