An Ocala man who kept dozens of dogs locked in cages while covered in their own feces and urine was found dead inside his home by way of suicide last week, just hours after he skipped a sentencing hearing where he was likely going to receive multiple years in prison for animal cruelty charges.
On April 9, Matthew Keel failed to appear for his scheduled sentencing hearing. Keel had pleaded Nolo-Contendere to multiple charges of animal cruelty just over a year after 53 dogs were rescued from his home.
According to the court docket in the case, Judge Timothy T. McCourt issued a bench warrant for Keel’s arrest after his absence last Wednesday, as well as a waiver of rights and agreement to the plea deal…