Sheridan Man Sentenced for Felony Cruelty to Animals and Domestic Battery

A 21-year-old Sheridan man was sentenced this week in Fourth Judicial District Court for the charges of Felony Aggravated Cruelty to Animals and Misdemeanor Domestic Battery. District Court Judge John Fenn accepted the terms of the plea deal with the State and sentenced James Malles (mal-us) to 18 to 24 months at a Wyoming Department of Corrections facility with the recommendation for the Wyoming Youthful Offender “Boot Camp” program.

Malles received 90 days in jail for the misdemeanor domestic battery charge, which will run concurrent to the sentence for the cruelty to animals charge. Judge Fenn also ordered Malles to pay over $2,400 in various court costs and restitution. According to court documents, Malles was arrested and charged with the crimes on March 29 of this year for punching an individual in the face and then killing the person’s dog by stabbing it with a kitchen knife.