Note: This article contains detailed descriptions of animal abuse that some may find disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A Chesterfield man pleaded guilty to five counts of animal cruelty after he ran what officials call an online scheme to get money. Rodney Travis Jr., 27, was charged in February after officials found he adopted cats, abused them and posted them online saying they were sick and that he needed money for their treatment.
In Chesterfield Circuit Court on Tuesday, Sept. 22, Travis pleaded guilty to the five charges as part of a plea deal made between his attorney, Erin Ranney, and the commonwealth, which was represented by two special prosecutors — Henrico’s Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Dylan McAuley and the director of the Animal Law Unit at the Attorney General’s Office, Michelle Welch…