Man pleads to animal cruelty charges; cannot own or possess animals

Defendant Nathaniel Jonathan Secker, age 33, generally of the Fort Bragg area, was convicted by plea Monday of two counts of felony animal abuse.



As part of the disposition personally handled by the District Attorney Monday morning, the defendant agreed to forfeit forthwith his interest in the dog in question.

The defendant's pleas were referred to the Adult Probation Department for a background study and sentencing recommendation.  The defendant will be back in court on January 6, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. for a formal sentencing hearing. Anyone interested in this case or this defendant is welcome to attend that hearing.

As the defendant has no prior felony record, the DA agreed to a no prison at the outset disposition. As one of the stipulated terms of the defendant's supervised probation to be imposed in January, defendant Secker will not be allowed during the term of his probation to possession, own, or control any live animal of any nature. He also will be prohibited from living in any location where live animals are present.

Following today's change of plea, DA Eyster expressed his appreciation for those in the community who reported the abuse they had witnessed to the local law enforcement agencies. He especially thanked three citizens who took time out of their work day to come to court to testify against the defendant at the preliminary hearing conducted November 18, 2019.

The defendant remains in the custody of the Sheriff pending his sentencing date in January.