TEXAS -- The former owner of a foreclosed home where 24 cats were found dead in March has pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor animal cruelty charges and might not ever be able to own pets again.
The Jefferson County District Attorney's office filed felony and misdemeanor charges against Karen Crooke, 65, last week. She received two probated sentences on the misdemeanor charges, and will have to pay a $500 fine.
The Jefferson County District Attorney's office filed felony and misdemeanor charges against Karen Crooke, 65, last week. She received two probated sentences on the misdemeanor charges, and will have to pay a $500 fine.
Sentencing on the felony charge is set for next month.
Crooke, the former president and publicist for the Coastwind Cat Club, waived her right to an indictment in the felony case, Assistant Criminal District Attorney Ann Manes said, and was charged by information. That means her case was not presented to a grand jury.
Crooke, the former president and publicist for the Coastwind Cat Club, waived her right to an indictment in the felony case, Assistant Criminal District Attorney Ann Manes said, and was charged by information. That means her case was not presented to a grand jury.
Manes said probation is recommended for the state jail felony, but it will be up to Criminal District Court Judge John Stevens to decide whether to follow the plea bargain. A state jail felony carries a punishment of up to two years in state jail and as much as a $10,000 fine.
As part of that agreement, Manes said Crooke will not be able to own any animals.
As part of that agreement, Manes said Crooke will not be able to own any animals.
Also, the state will not prosecute her on any other animal cruelty charges related to the incident, Manes said.
Crooke's Class A misdemeanor charges - which carry maximum sentences of a year in jail and a $4,000 fine - were filed in County Court at Law No. 2 Judge G.R. "Lupe" Flores' court.
Those complaints indicate that Crooke failed to provide necessary food, water, care and shelter for an animal. Each filing names a Maine Coone cat: Smokin' in the Bathroom in one and Spot in the other.
Those complaints indicate that Crooke failed to provide necessary food, water, care and shelter for an animal. Each filing names a Maine Coone cat: Smokin' in the Bathroom in one and Spot in the other.
In March, Beaumont Animal Services obtained a warrant to enter Crooke's vacant, foreclosed home on Sandelwood Trail after one of its officers found out that there might be cats in danger inside.
After a search of the garbage-filled home, animal services officers and firefighters found 23 dead cats and five who had survived the conditions, Animal Services supervisor Matthew Fortenberry previously told The Enterprise. Another dead cat was found later.
After a search of the garbage-filled home, animal services officers and firefighters found 23 dead cats and five who had survived the conditions, Animal Services supervisor Matthew Fortenberry previously told The Enterprise. Another dead cat was found later.
Crooke's home sold at the county's May foreclosure auction for $77,000, according to information from the Jefferson County Tax Assessor-Collector's office.
In the list of certified property values for 2011 prepared by the Jefferson County Appraisal District, the total value of the building and land was $236,550.
Fortenberry said the new owner incurred the cost to clean up the property. Also, he said, a clean-up crew found at least two more dead cats.
(Beaumont Enterprise - June 12, 2012)
