A Detroiter who stole a dog and tried to sell it back to its owners will spend the next month in jail for the crime — a relatively light sentence for an offense punishable by up to five years in prison and a hefty fine.
At a hearing Monday morning, Oakland County Circuit Judge Daniel O’Brien sentenced Malik Deshawn Motley, 24, to 40 days in the Oakland County Jail — with credit for 14 days already served. Motley pleaded no contest in June to a charge of larceny – $1,000 to $20,000 for the theft which happened this past April in Troy.
A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt but is treated as such for sentencing purposes. It also can offer some liability protection in civil cases.
As previously reported, Motley was accused of falsely claiming ownership of a French bulldog named “Fats” who had wandered into a Troy resident’s yard. The resident tried to find its owner by posting its photo on Facebook, and Motley showed up and convinced the resident that the dog was his. After taking possession of Fats, Motley posted it for sale online, police said…