Press Release, Sean Fagan, Prosecuting Attorney:
On June 20, 2024, Michael Stalling was found guilty of two counts of Abandonment or Neglect of a Vertebrate Animal, a Class A misdemeanor. The State of Indiana, represented by Deputy Prosecutor Michael Freddoso, presented evidence during a bench trial on May 29, 2024 before Magistrate Judge John Link of Superior Court No. 4 in Michigan City, with Judge Link issuing his ruling on June 20, 2024. Sentencing will be held July 8, 2024. Class A misdemeanors are punishable up to one year in jail, and a maximum $5000 fine.
Prosecuting Attorney Sean Fagan said: “Most folks in this County are pet owners, and treat their pets as members of the family. Abandoning or neglecting an animal resonates with people as cruelty, and to do that in Indiana is a crime. There are a lot of cats and dogs in this County that have no home, thru no fault of their own, so to do this willingly is just not right.”
Prosecutor Fagan continued: “Mike Freddoso did a great job presenting the evidence for the State. He spends a lot of time in Superior Court No. 4 handling all sorts of cases, so when the verdict came out, I wanted to make sure Mike got the recognition he deserves. I also want to thank Lt. Painter of the Michigan City Police Department for her work on this one as well. Good police work on the front end builds strong cases for trial.”