Anthony Appolonia, 50, of Aberdeen Township, pleaded guilty on Sept. 29 to 19 counts of third-degree animal cruelty in connection with the torture and killing of 19 cats. Appolonia entered his guilty plea before state Superior Court Judge Edward M. Neafsey in Freehold.
Appolonia has been held at the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township, in lieu of $105,000 bail since his arrest on Dec. 21, 2007. Appolonia is scheduled to return before Neafsey for sentencing on Dec. 4. After the entry of the guilty plea, Neafsey ordered that he be held without bail until he is sentenced, according to a press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Appolonia entered his guilty plea pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the plea agreement, the prosecutor’s office will recommend that Neafsey sentence Appolonia to a five-year New Jersey state prison term, the maximum term of incarceration for a third-degree crime.
The plea agreement further provides that Appolonia will be ordered to undergo psychiatric counseling and must agree not to possess any animals, according to the press release.
On Dec. 20, 2007, the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MCSPCA) investigated a report concerning the adoption of numerous cats and kittens by Appolonia. The MCSPCA determined that between October and December 2007, Appolonia had acquired approximately 19 cats by answering adoption ads placed by citizens in local newspapers.
The investigation revealed that after obtaining these felines, Appolonia used various means to inflict injury upon them, and that he then eventually killed the cats by drowning them. On Dec. 21, 2007, Appolonia was arrested at his residence by officers from the MCSPCA and the Aberdeen Township Police Department.
During his guilty plea before Neafsey, Appolonia admitted to torturing all 19 cats before ultimately causing their death by drowning, according to prosecutor.