Aberdeen man pleads guilty in cat killings

BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer ABERDEEN — Anthony Appolonia, 50, of Aberdeen, has pleaded guilty to 19 counts of third-degree animal cruelty in connection with the torture and killing of 19 cats, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. Appolonia entered his guilty plea before state Superior Court Judge Edward M. Neafsey in Freehold on Sept. 29. Appolonia has been held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold Township, in lieu of $105,000 bail since his arrest on Dec. 21, 2007. He is scheduled to return for sentencing on Dec. 4. After the entry of the guilty plea, the judge ordered that Appolonia be held without bail until he is sentenced, according to a press release from the Prosecutor's Office. Appolonia entered the guilty plea pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the... [read full story]