In April, Bani Mezquititla pleaded guilty to tormenting, torturing, or unnecessarily or cruelly abusing a living animal resulting in death, and animal cruelty by using or causing or procuring the use of an animal or creature in any kind of sexual manner.
[Please read In memory of Ellie—who deserved so much more... by Heidi Stephenson ]
We’re pleased to report that the worst kind of guardian possible, a
deeply disturbed, sexually sick, and vile sociopath of a man is
getting significantly more than a slap on the wrist for sadistically
abusing his cat Ellie for months, ultimately killing her.
Bani Mezquititla was sentenced on June 13, 2024, to five years in
state prison. He will also have to pay restitution for the cost of
the cat’s necropsy and has been permanently banned from ever again
living with or having custody over any animal.
An investigation was launched on March 2, 2023, when a concerned
citizen brought Ellie’s body to the Asbury Park Police Department.
Police, along with the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals' Humane Law Enforcement Division concluded Ellie
had belonged to Mezquititla, who was arrested the same day and taken
to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution.
In April, he pleaded guilty to tormenting, torturing, or
unnecessarily or cruelly abusing a living animal resulting in death,
and animal cruelty by using or causing or procuring the use of an
animal or creature in any kind of sexual manner. Both charges are
third-degree felonies carrying a maximum sentence of five years of
incarceration. It’s too bad he wasn’t sentenced to 10 years in
prison, 5 years for each offense, but that likely would have
necessitated a trial, which courts are eager to avoid.
15,964 In Defense of Animals supporters signed onto our letter to
Fairfield Judicial District State Attorney Joseph T. Corradino
seeking maximum prosecution of Mezquititla. We are deeply grateful
for this support and are confident that your collective voice was
heard.