The animal cruelty story you are about to read happened in March 2022.
I have only learned about it recently as the animal abuser involved in the case has just been arrested on new felony charges.
The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office announced that on April 5, 2023, 20-years-old COLTON SEAN FONTES (pictured), turned himself into the Calaveras County Jail on twenty-seven felony counts including Rape of a Person Incapable of Giving Consent, Rape Of A Person By Force, Sexual Intercourse With Person Under 18, and Possession And Transmission Of Child Pornography.
Many of these crimes were committed while FONTES was out on bail after being arrested for animal cruelty on March 11, 2022.
According to a press release by the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office and obtained by Voice For Us, on March 10, 2022, deputies became aware of a video that was circulating on social media which depicted a cat being inhumanely murdered. The gruesome video had been sent to the cat’s guardians who then contacted law enforcement.
The sheriff’s office said that the cat’s guardians had been searching for their furbaby, named Mr. Meow, for over a week and had posted flyers throughout his community.
As stated in the release, “Although no humans were shown in the video, information was provided to suggest that” FONTES “was responsible for the crime.”
Deputies contacted FONTES and when he was questioned about the incident, he initially denied being responsible for the murder of Mr. Meow.
Deputies, however, “noticed that a portion of Fontes’s residence was identical in appearance to an area shown in the video.” FONTES was not immediately arrested and deputies continued their investigation which led to the recovery of the weapon used to murder Mr. Meow. Deputies determined there was no legal justification for Mr. Meow’s killing and FONTES was taken into custody. He then “admitted to killing the cat.”
Fontes was transported to the Calaveras County Jail where he was booked on one felony count of animal cruelty. He was released hours later after posting a $65,000 bail.
On May 16, 2022, FONTES made his first court appearance before a judge at Calaveras County Superior Courthouse in San Andreas.
ABC10 was there and reported that a smiling FONTES left with no comment.
Braeden Hall and Allie Effisimo, Mr. Meow’s guardians, told ABC10: “This is actually our first time seeing him in person, so that was interesting. He did make a comment that seemed a little smug. He walked past and said ‘Hey guys,’ like as if nothing was a big deal.”
Braeden also told ABC10: “I'm just glad that the criminal justice system is taking it seriously, and it's not just being swept under the rug.”
At the time, Becky Robinson, the founder of Alley Cat Allies, sent a statement to ABC10 which in part read: “This was an intentional act of cruelty that demands a vigorous prosecution and the maximum penalty from the courts. Cats suffer and feel pain. Violence toward cats and other animals [is] frequently just the starting point for additional criminal behavior. Well established research has identified the link between violence against cats and violence against humans.”
Allie and Braden have created a Public Group called Justice for Mr. Meow where they post pictures and videos of Mr. Meow and updates on the case.
I have emailed Calaveras County District Attorney Barbara Yook to inquire what stage the case is at. If I hear back, I will post an update.
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.
FONTES’ mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office.
