(WWJ) A Mount Clemens man has been arrested after allegedly stomping on and killing a kitten.
Marcus Winfrey, 33, had been charged by the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office with first degree animal torture.
Investigators said Winfrey was sleeping on the steps of First United Methodist Church in Mount Clemens when he woke up agitated and began swearing at a woman who was also resting on the steps.
Winfrey, then, allegedly intentionally stomped on the head of the woman's gray and white kitten named Asia.
The kitten died.
The charge against Winfrey is a felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. He also been charged with habitual offender – second offense notice, which is an aggravating sentencing factor.
“The allegations in this case of using an innocent animal to hurt another person is cruel and deeply troubling. When offenders are convicted of animal cruelty, they should face meaningful consequences. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute these cases and advocate for appropriate sentences,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido.
Speaking to WWJ's Darrylin Horne, Lucido made clear that he;d like to see stiffer penalties in cases like these.
"The guidelines will never, you know, go to ten years. It's gonna be somewhere, ya know, 90 days up to maybe a year and-a-half. So, I think a lot of people are going to be very disappointed if he is found guilty, because they're going to want to make sure that none of this type of behavior would ever occur to any animal."
Winfrey’s bond was set at $50,000 cash/surety/10% at an arraignment Tuesday. Officials said he remains in custody at the Macomb County Jail.
His next court date is a probable cause conference set for Sept. 15 in 41B District Court.
