MAROA — A Maroa man accused of using a cruel and painful studded “shock collar” to control a pet dog has been placed on conditional discharge for 12 months in a plea deal with prosecutors.
John W. Leach, 48, admitted a charge of cruelty to animals, a Class B misdemeanor.
Further charges of aggravated cruelty and failing to perform pet owner’s duties were then dismissed by Judge Rodney Forbes when Leach appeared Nov. 30 in Macon County Circuit Court.
The case against Leach filed by Macon County State’s Attorney Scott Rueter said the defendant had hurt a German Shepherd mix dog called Dakota with use of the shock collar.
The aggravated cruelty to animals charge had read: “…Said defendant, having custody of Dakota, a companion dog, intentionally injured Dakota by placing a ‘shock’ collar with multiple one-inch protruding ‘studs’ penetrating Dakota’s neck for months, causing permanent injury to Dakota.”
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The charge said it covered a period between August of 2022 and January of 2023.
Other allegations of cruelty accused Leach, between December of 2022 and January of 2023, of failing to provide the dog with a “sufficient quantity of good quality, wholesome food and water” and also failing to provide the pet with adequate “shelter and protection from the weather.”
The case had been investigated by the Maroa Police Department and Dakota had been taken into the care of the Macon County Animal Control and Care Center.
As one Central Illinois dog cruelty case concludes, several others are moving forward with jury trials scheduled to begin Dec. 12 in Macon County Circuit Court.
Mark A. Miller Jr., 43, of Decatur is pleading not guilty to aggravated cruelty and cruelty to animals and five counts of being a felon who is not allowed to possess a dog unless it is spayed or neutered.
It’s alleged he allowed a pit bull called Berry Blue to freeze and suffer in freezing temperatures that hit the Decatur area during Christmas of 2022. After public complaints, Macon County Sheriff’s Office deputies said they found Blue in such critical condition the dog had to be euthanized. Four other pet dogs in various stages of suffering were seized and later made full recoveries under the supervision of the Animal Control and Care Center.
Also charged with Miller is Nyssa R. Richardson-Miller, 39, who denies one count of cruelty to animals. The case against her is scheduled for a status hearing Dec. 12.
Another case earmarked for a jury trial Tuesday is that of Decatur woman Twyla Kitsos, 34, pleading not guilty to aggravated cruelty and cruelty in the death of a starved and neglected dog whose body was found Jan. 24 in a cage dumped in a Forsyth ditch. Kitsos further denies three counts of neglecting animal owner duties and a charge of obstructing/destroying evidence.
Also charged in the case was Decatur man Dewey E. Ford. The 58-year-old defendant appeared in court in June and was sentenced to 24 months probation after admitting to trying to cover-up the alleged brutal treatment of the dog by Kitsos.
Mark Miller Jr., left, with his attorney Dan Fultz, at a preliminary hearing earlier this year which found probable cause to try him on a charge of aggravated cruelty to animals. Sgt. Ron Atkins with the Macon County Sheriff’s Office gives evidence under the questioning of Macon County State’s Attorney Scott Rueter.
2023 mugshots from the Herald & Review
Lourash
Jeffrey L. Lourash, 57, took a plea deal on April 6, 2023, and admitted the first degree murder of his wife Tabitha Lourash, who was shot to death November 23 in their Warrensburg home. Lourash was sentenced in May of 2023 to 45 years in prison, to be served at 100%.
Hirstein
Steven L. Hirstein, 43, was arrested March 30, 2023, and booked on preliminary charges of attempted murder for a stabbing attack on his girlfriend. He is also charged with aggravated battery to police after allegedly attacking officers with a knife. He was shot and wounded several times by police but his wounds were not considered serious.
Phillip Gehrken
Phillip J. Gehrken, 52, of Forsyth, was sentenced to 50 years in prison March 28, 2023, after being convicted of the murder of 51-year-old victim Kevin Cooper on July 11, 2021.
Joseph A. Williams
Joseph A. Williams, convicted of the attempted murder of a Decatur Police officer, was sentenced 80 years in prison in June of 2023.
Jetrevius O. Jarrett
Jetrevius O. Jarrett is charged with first degree murder for allegedly shooting to death the photographer that took his family’s Christmas pictures in 2021.
Edwards
Cameron C. Edwards, 19, of Cerro Gordo was sentenced to nine years in prison April 4, 2023, after pleading guilty to the unlawful possession of a stolen gun, attempted escape and burglary. He was part of a theft team that stole guns from cop cars.
King-Woods
Traveon Hightower King-Woods, 27, was sentenced to five years in prison March 22, 2023, after he admitted a charge of aggravated robbery. Police said he robbed a victim at gunpoint but then had to flee for his life when the victim chased him in a car. King-Woods accomplice and brother, Amieron L. Barham-Perkins, 20, pleaded guilty to an aggravated robbery charge and was sentenced to five years on January 17, 2023.
Wilson
Tyler J. Wilson, 23, was sentenced to 18 years in prison in Macon County Circuit Court April 26, 2023, after pleading guilty to a charge of armed violence.
Derrickson
Tiyren E. Derrickson, 28, was sentenced to eight years in prison May 18, 2023, after pleading guilty to a charge of burglary. He had raided the same Decatur church on consecutive days and stolen equipment valued at more than $20,000.
Colby J. Park
Colby J. Park, 25, was sentenced to a 24 month conditional discharge and ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life after pleading guilty to the aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a 6-year-old boy by biting the child. The offense dates to October 7, 2018, and Park was sentenced May 19 of 2023.
Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid