El fiscal del condado de Ocean, Bradley D.. Billhimer anunció que en junio 24, 2024, Michele Nycz, 60, del municipio de ladrillo, pled guilty to two counts of Animal Cruelty before the Honorable Guy P. ryan, P.J.Cr.P., in connection with an investigation that began on December 2, 2022 en el municipio de ladrillo. Hoy, Aimee Lonczak, 51, también del municipio de Brick, pled guilty before Judge Ryan to Child Neglect, as well as two counts of Animal Cruelty, in connection with the same investigation. At the time of their sentencing on August 16, 2024, the State will be seeking 364 days in the Ocean County Jail as a condition of probation as to each defendant, a lifetime ban on owning animals, a ban on working with animals, and community service not involving animals.
En diciembre 2, 2022, Los agentes del Departamento de Policía de Brick Township fueron citados a una residencia en Arrowhead Park Drive en referencia a una denuncia anónima de que los residentes de la dirección tenían una fábrica de cachorros.. Mientras hablaba con los residentes – Lonczak y Nycz – en la entrada de la residencia, responding Officers could detect a strong odor coming from the residence, and heard barking. Officers were subsequently permitted to enter the residence and immediately detected an intense odor and unsanitary conditions. Además, the Officers observed animal crates containing dogs and cats stacked on top of one another. Due to the conditions existing in the home at that time, Los oficiales se vieron obligados a salir de la residencia y solicitaron que un equipo de materiales peligrosos respondiera.. Posteriormente, los rescatistas con equipos de materiales peligrosos retiraron aproximadamente 129 perros y 43 gatos ubicados en la residencia, and the bodies of two deceased dogs. Lonczak y Nycz – que residía en la residencia con Lonczak 16 niño de un año – were both taken into custody at the scene and transported to the Ocean County Jail. They were both subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Victoria Veni who is handling the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Brick Township Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office for their efforts in connection with this investigation leading to the defendants’ guilty pleas.