KEOKUK — Three Keokuk men were charged with animal torture July 6 after a video appeared online in early May showing the men with an injured opossum.
Jerry McGee, 19, Austin Salyers, 18, and Casey Taylor, 19, allegedly found the opossum after it had been hit by a vehicle. They were allegedly seen in the video throwing and beating the opossum while it was still alive.
The video generated numerous complaints to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Lee County Attorney’s office and the Keokuk Police Department.
McGee, Salyers and Taylor are scheduled to appear in Lee County District Court July 26 before District Associate Judge Gary R. Noneman. Animal torture is an aggravated misdemeanor, carrying a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a $6,250 fine.
According to the Iowa Code, on a person’s first conviction of animal torture, the sentencing order shall provide that the person submit to psychological evaluation and treatment according to terms required by the court, with the costs of the evaluation and treatment paid by the person.
In addition, the sentencing order shall provide that the person complete a community work requirement, which may include a work requirement performed at an animal shelter or pound.
To the editor: Please rectify this headline. “Three teen boys” is extremely misleading when all of the suspects are legal adults, 18+. Even the first sentence says “Three Keokuk men.” Thank you.
Thank you for bringing this error to our attention.