Accused animal hoarder pleads guilty to cruelty charges

Geoffrey Peterson
Geoffrey Peterson
photo Geoffrey Peterson

Court officials in Sequatchie County, Tenn., say that Geoffrey Deane Peterson, the man charged in December with hoarding more than 60 animals in squalid conditions in Dunlap, pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges today.

Court officials said Peterson was given a sentence of a combined five years, all on probation, in the plea to three counts of aggravated animal cruelty, a class E felony.

Peterson was ordered by Circuit Criminal Court Judge Justin Angel not to own any animals during the five-year probation period and he must perform 100 hours of community service.

Peterson was taken into custody in March on the charges. After the plea on Wednesday, Peterson was released to Hamilton County authorities where he faces other charges, court officials said.

Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or twitter.com/BenBenton or www.facebook.com/ben.benton1 or 423-757-6569.

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