- Illinois, USA -
Winnebago County State’s Attorney J. Hanley announced that 35-years-old CORTEZ JAMAL HOUSTON (pictured), was sentenced for “Aggravated Cruelty, Cruel Treatment and Violation of Owner’s Duties.”
According to a press release by Winnebago County State’s Attorney J. Hanley, on December 29, 2020, Winnebago County Animal Control Officers responded to a residence in the 3000 block of Bildahl Avenue in Rockford after an animal complaint.
In the backyard of the residence, officers found at least three dogs. As stated in the release, “These dogs were emaciated and without proper food and water.”
Sadly, officers also found a deceased dog who was being “consumed by the other emaciated dogs.” The criminal complaint obtained by Voice For Us describes the deceased dog as a brown and brindle female Mastiff. The Voiceless Victim’s age and name were not mentioned.
A couple of weeks later, on January 13, 2022, Winnebago County Animal Control responded to a home in the 2600 block of Lapey Street in Rockford where HOUSTON was residing.
Officers discovered a dog who was “incredibly thin with no food or water.” Sadly, Animal Control Officers located a dead dog whom the criminal complaint describes as a tan and white female Pitbull mix. The Voiceless Victim’s age and name were not included in the complaint.
A necropsy was performed on the deceased furvictim and results showed that she died from starvation. According to the press release, “There was no food found in the dog’s gastrointestinal tract, indicating that the dog had not consumed any food for at least 24 hours. The dog’s stomach contained sticks.”
An investigation conducted by Winnebago County Animal Control determined that all of the dogs were HOUSTON’s.
On August 23, 2023, HOUSTON was found guilty of Aggravated Cruelty, Cruel Treatment, and Violation of Owner’s Duties after a jury trial before the Honorable Judge Randy Wilt.
In his press release, Winnebago County State’s Attorney J. Hanley said the following:
“Aggravated Cruelty is a Class 4 Felony that is punishable by 1-6 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections followed by 6 months of Mandatory Supervised Release. Cruel Treatment is a Class A Misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in the Winnebago County Jail or probation. Violation of Owner’s Duties is a Class B Misdemeanor that is also punishable by probation or a jail sentence.”
Despite all that, on February 29, 2024, Winnebago County Circuit Court Judge Randy Wilt sentenced HOUSTON to ONLY three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Not only that, but I also learned from the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office that HOUSTON was not banned from “owning” animals!
I took the liberty of naming the deceased furbabies Lilac and Wisteria for the tribute image. Should their given names be made public, I will rectify them accordingly.
I have also emailed Winnebago County Animal Control and the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department to request pictures of all the Voiceless Victims. If I receive them, I will add them to the article.
Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the official press releases by the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office and copies of the criminal complaint provided to Voice For Us.
Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.
In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.
HOUSTON’s mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office.
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