Illinois: Gridley man Curtis Cleary pleads guilty to assault, cruelty to animals

ILLINOIS -- A Gridley man pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and aggravated cruelty to animals Thursday in a November incident where shots were fired at his girlfriend and police made a grisly discovery of a large number of dead animals.

Curtis Cleary

Curtis Cleary could receive consecutive sentences of one to three years in prison on each count or a term of probation when he is sentenced June 6.

Police were called Nov. 4 to the home near Gridley for a report of a domestic dispute. Gunshots were recorded in a 911 call placed by the woman, who ran naked from the home, according to Assistant State’s Attorney Kevin Sanborn.

After Cleary was taken into custody, police found more than 60 cats and a dozen dogs that were allegedly allowed to starve to death in the house and a nearby barn. Cleary’s plea is related to the cats.

Cleary also pleaded guilty Thursday to driving while his license was revoked and aggravated driving while intoxicated in an October 2011 incident. He was sentenced to 30 months of probation and 30 days in jail in that case.

(Pantograph - April 11, 2013)

Earlier:

• Illinois: McLean County Sheriff Investigating Animal Cruelty Case, Dozens of Bodies Found