A 19-year-old Winfield man has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty as part of a plea bargain agreement involving a second criminal case.
James A. Bell was arrested in September for killing a cat by swinging the animal by its tail until the animal’s head struck the concrete – a felony offense. A second case charged him with possession of marijuana and possession of liquor by a minor – misdemeanor offenses.
As a result of the plea bargain agreement, Bell pleaded guilty to the animal cruelty and minor in possession charges. The possession of marijuana charge in the second case was dismissed by the County Attorney’s Office.
Sentencing in both cases is set for 1:30 p.m. Feb. 25. The sentence for the animal cruelty conviction ranges from 30 days to one year in jail and a possible fine ranging from $500 to $5,000. Whether he is eligible for probation will depend partly on past criminal history and the severity of the crimes.
