Man pleads guilty to torturing girlfriend’s cat

URBANA — A central Illinois man will be sentenced next month after pleading guilty to torturing his girlfriend’s cat, which later died.

The (Champaign) News-Gazette reports that 24-year-old Nathan Sitter of Savoy is set to be sentenced April 13. He pleaded guilty Monday in Champaign County Court to one count of animal torture. He admitted he tried to strangle and drown the cat, named Mocha.

Prosecutors say the cat died in December after its owner came home to find it lifeless and cold. Prosecutors say the owner took the cat to a veterinarian, who documented numerous injuries before the animal died several hours later. The clinic contacted the sheriff’s office.

Prosecutors said they intend to ask for a four-year prison sentence. Sitter is represented by an assistant public defender.