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Writer's picturevoiceforus
Jun 28, 20233 min read

STACY R. MUELLER, Princeville dog groomer, indicted on animal cruelty charges

Updated: Oct 20

- Illinois, USA -


~ Updates: June 7, 2024

 

Peoria County Judge Paul Gilfillan sentenced 42-year-old STEPHEN DWAIN KALB (pictured), to seventy (70) days in jail, with credit for the three days he’s already served.

 

On April 17, 2024, during a pre-trial hearing in Peoria County Court, KALB pled guilty to one count of animal cruelty.

 

After his release, KALB will serve two years on probation, and during that time, he cannot “own” or be in "possession" of any animals.

 

As for the co-defendant in this case, 43-year-old STACY R. MUELLER (also pictured), on December 6, 2023, she pled guilty to three misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and one felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals.

 

In March 2024, Judge Paul Gilfillan gifted MUELLER with probation!

Despite prosecutors’ recommendation for prison time, Gilfillan sentenced MUELLER to two years’ probation. MUELLER was ordered to not “own” any animals. If she fails to  comply, she could spend ONLY sixty (60) days behind bars.



~ Update: August 4, 2023


A second arrest has been made in the animal cruelty case for which 42-years-old STACY R. MUELLER (pictured), a Princeville dog groomer, was arrested back in May.


On Friday, July 28, 2023, authorities arrested 41-years-old STEPHEN DWAIN KALB (also pictured).


Back in May, after MUELER’s arrest, Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins said he was looking for another individual in connection with the case but did not release their identity.

KALB was located at the east Peoria Walmart and transported to the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office on one felony count of aggravated animal cruelty. KALB admitted to investigators that he was aware of the animals’ living conditions.


WMBD reports that according to the arrest report, “Kalb said that he can’t clean litter boxes and that Mueller just decided to lock the cats in kennels. Kalb said that Mueller would keep the cats in the kennels for a month without them being taken out or cleaned.”


KALB was released the following day after posting a $1,200 bond. Online court records show his arraignment is slated to take place at Peoria County Circuit Court on August 30, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. before judge Sean Donahue.


As for MUELLER, according to court records, her felony case is set for trial in October 2023.



~ Original Story:


On Tuesday, June 27, 2023, a Peoria County Grand Jury indicted 42-years-old STACY R. MUELLER (pictured), a Princeville dog groomer, on one felony count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals along with three misdemeanor counts of Cruelty to Animals.

Ciproud.com reports that “The three counts of cruelty to animals include cruel treatment or starvation of the dogs, identified as Cookies, Cappuccino, and Ziggy.”


On May 11, 2023, the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office was called to a property on 219 W. South Street, Princeville, to assist Peoria County Animal Protection Services (PCAPS) with an animal abuse case.


In a locked shed, deputies discovered twelve dogs. Sadly, one was dead. The live dogs were malnourished and covered in feces and flies. The temperature inside the shed was 110-degrees and there was no food or water for the Voiceless Victims.


Inside the residence, officials found more dogs. Back in May the Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins said: “….and there were signs of malnutrition with all the animals found.”

Sheriff Watkins said PCAPS removed a total of twenty-one living animals from the property.


In a statement, Sheriff Watkins said: “These were horrible conditions that these dogs and cats were living in. No animal or human could survive in that type of environment for an extended amount of time.”


MUELLER was arrested on May 11, 2023, and the following day she was charged with twelve counts of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, a Class 4 Felony.


Back in May Sheriff Watkins said the Peoria County Sheriff's Office was “looking for another individual involved in this crime. Their name will be released at a later time.”


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.



Mugshots shared from the Peoria County Sheriff's Office.


Additional Sources:



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Writer's picturevoiceforus
May 19, 20232 min read

TWYLA EARLENE KITSOS and DEWEY EUGENE FORD facing charges in connection with the death of a dog

Updated: May 20, 2023

- Illinois, USA -


On the morning of Tuesday, January 24, 2023, Macon County Animal Control responded to Sawyer Road south of Illiniwick in Decatur after receiving a call about a deceased dog.


Officers found a puppy inside a cage in the ditch near the road. The Macon County Sheriff's Office said the dog appeared to be emaciated.


At the time, the sheriff’s office said that the dog’s guardian had not been identified. An investigation was launched, the sheriff’s office then reached out to the community and PETA offered $5,000 for information.


On March 8, 2023, in connection with this case, deputies arrested 33-years-old TWYLA EARLENE KITSOS (pictured) “for failure of owner’s duties.”

In a press release, Sgt. Ron Atkins, Animal Control Administrator for the Sheriff’s Office said: “Assistance from the public was crucial and made the investigation into this incident a success.”


I have asked Sgt. Atkins for additional information about the Voiceless Victim and in an email, he said: “The dog was Presa Canario according to Kitsos but I've been unable to confirm that. The dog was a male, estimated age at death was 3 to 5 months.”


As the investigation into the case continued, deputies made a second arrest.


Through a press release of May 18, 2023, Sgt. Atkins announced that on April 26, 2023, testimony was provided to a Macon County Grand Jury in regards to this case. The Grand Jury returned an indictment against 58-years-old DEWEY EUGENE FORD (also pictured) for Obstructing Justice, a Class 4 Felony. FORD was arrested the following day and booked into the Macon County Jail. He was released after posting a $5,000 bond, and on April 28, 2023, at his initial court appearance he pleaded not guilty.

Court records show FORD is set to appear back in court on May 26, 2023.


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.



KITSOS and FORD’s mugshots provided to Voice For Us by the Macon County Sheriff's Office.


Furbaby's pictures shared from WCCU – January 25, 2023


Additional Sources:









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Writer's picturevoiceforus
Feb 17, 20231 min read

TIMOTHY LEE SMITH arrested for harming his dog and threatening his family with a knife

- Illinois, USA -


On the early morning of Wednesday, February 15, 2023, officers with the Macomb Police Department responded to a report of a domestic violence at residence in the 1200 block of E. Carroll Street in Macomb.


In a press release, police said that “family members fled the house after they believed their dog was harmed by” 39-years-old TIMOTHY LEE SMITH (pictured), the father and the husband of the family.


Officers learned that SMITH “had been harming the family dog, threatening the family members with a knife, and, at one point, grabbed and pushed family members around the house.”

As indicated in the press release, SMITH allegedly “kept the family members under his control and restrained their movements, for several hours.”


After police surrounded the house, SMITH was eventually coaxed from the house and placed under arrest.


SMITH was booked into the McDonough County Jail on one count of cruel treatment to animal, two counts of unlawful restraint, two counts of aggravated assault, and two counts of domestic battery.


Online records show that SMITH is scheduled to appear in McDonough County Circuit Court for his preliminary hearing on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.


Police said that the dog and SMITH’s family are currently in a safe location.


The investigation is ongoing and no further details were released.


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Link included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.



Additional Source:






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