He receives probation before judgment.
Frederick, Md (KM) A Middletown man entered an Alford plea on Monday to the charge of aggravated animal cruelty. The Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office says Thomas Mackey, 34, was sentenced to probation before judgment, and placed on three-years of supervised probation with special conditions for mental health treatment, and random checks by Animal Control officers.. Mackey will also not be allowed to own new animals during his period of probation.
An Alford plea means the defendant doesn’t admit guilt, but acknowledges prosecutors have enough evidence for a conviction.
Prosecutors say on December 2nd, 2018, Sheriff’s Deputies and Animal Control officers were dispatched to the 5400 block of Urbana Pike for the physical abuse of a guinea pig. Witnesses say Mackey was sitting in a vehicle parked in a parking lot. They say he struck the animal, and inserted his finger up its rectum.
Medical personnel examining the guinea pig found injuries consistent with the abuse described by witnesses. .
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Catherine McDermid.
By Kevin McManus