Lakewood man to face sentencing in Grafton Township animal cruelty case

OHIO -- A Lakewood man facing animal cruelty charges for allegedly abandoning and neglecting several animals at a Grafton Township farm in May, has accepted a plea deal.

Mahmoud Abukhalil, 41, has pleaded guilty to two counts of abandoning animals, both second-degree misdemeanors.

Mahmoud Abukhalil rocking the bowl haircut

 

According to Elyria Municipal Court records, during his June 2 arraignment, Abukhalil was charged with one count of obstructing official business, two counts of abandoning animals and one count of cruelty to animals — all second-degree misdemeanors.

As part of his Nov. 20 plea deal, Abukhalil’s cruelty to animals and obstructing official business charges were dropped.

On May 30, Friendship Animal Protection League officials responded to the Grafton Township farm, 36450 state Route 303, on an animal cruelty complaint.

Upon arriving at the farm, Protection League officers Denise Wills and Greg Willey said they saw several horses, sheep and other animals in an emaciated and filthy state.

Initially Newton told officials on scene that Abukhalil was out of the country. Eventually it was discovered that Abukhalil was inside the residence.

“There were dead sheep and goats scattered across the property,” Willey previously said. “It looks like these people have just allowed these animals to suffer. One of the horses was being starved to death.”

Abukhalil, and another man, Richard Newton, 49, were discovered on the property, but when asked about the animals, the pair told the officers that they did not own the animals, did not live on the property and were unaware of who the animals belonged to.

 

Five horses and seven chickens were removed from the farm and placed into protective foster care through the Protection League.

Lorain County sheriff officials cited the men at the scene.

On Nov. 17, Graves dropped the three counts of cruelty to animals and one count of obstructing official business charges Newton was accused of.



Richard Newton

  

Newton’s defense attorney, Barry Goloboff, said the reason Newton’s charges were dropped was because the prosecutor on the case didn’t believe there was enough evidence to convict him. 

At this time, it has not been determined what sentence Elyria Municipal Judge Lisa Locke Graves will impose on Abukhalil when he appears back in court Jan. 8.

(The Morning Journal - Nov 21, 214)

Earlier:

• Police: Animal abuse case ‘one of worst’ in Lorain County
• Two men charged with 3 counts of cruelty to animals enter not gulity plea