Peoria County Judge Paul Gilfillan sentenced 42-year-old STEPHEN DWAIN KALB (pictured), to seventy (70) days in jail, with credit for the three days he’s already served.
On April 17, 2024, during a pre-trial hearing in Peoria County Court, KALB pled guilty to one count of animal cruelty.
After his release, KALB will serve two years on probation, and during that time, he cannot “own” or be in "possession" of any animals.
As for the co-defendant in this case, 43-year-old STACY R. MUELLER (also pictured), on December 6, 2023, she pled guilty to three misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and one felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals.
In March 2024, Judge Paul Gilfillan gifted MUELLER with probation!
Despite prosecutors’ recommendation for prison time, Gilfillan sentenced MUELLER to two years’ probation. MUELLER was ordered to not “own” any animals. If she fails to comply, she could spend ONLY sixty (60) days behind bars.
A second arrest has been made in the animal cruelty case for which 42-years-old STACY R. MUELLER (pictured), a Princeville dog groomer, was arrested back in May.
On Friday, July 28, 2023, authorities arrested 41-years-old STEPHEN DWAIN KALB (also pictured).
Back in May, after MUELER’s arrest, Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins said he was looking for another individual in connection with the case but did not release their identity.
KALB was located at the east Peoria Walmart and transported to the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office on one felony count of aggravated animal cruelty. KALB admitted to investigators that he was aware of the animals’ living conditions.
WMBD reports that according to the arrest report, “Kalb said that he can’t clean litter boxes and that Mueller just decided to lock the cats in kennels. Kalb said that Mueller would keep the cats in the kennels for a month without them being taken out or cleaned.”
KALB was released the following day after posting a $1,200 bond. Online court records show his arraignment is slated to take place at Peoria County Circuit Court on August 30, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. before judge Sean Donahue.
As for MUELLER, according to court records, her felony case is set for trial in October 2023.
On Tuesday, June 27, 2023, a Peoria County Grand Jury indicted 42-years-old STACY R. MUELLER (pictured), a Princeville dog groomer, on one felony count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals along with three misdemeanor counts of Cruelty to Animals.
Ciproud.com reports that “The three counts of cruelty to animals include cruel treatment or starvation of the dogs, identified as Cookies, Cappuccino, and Ziggy.”
On May 11, 2023, the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office was called to a property on 219 W. South Street, Princeville, to assist Peoria County Animal Protection Services (PCAPS) with an animal abuse case.
In a locked shed, deputies discovered twelve dogs. Sadly, one was dead. The live dogs were malnourished and covered in feces and flies. The temperature inside the shed was 110-degrees and there was no food or water for the Voiceless Victims.
Inside the residence, officials found more dogs. Back in May the Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins said: “….and there were signs of malnutrition with all the animals found.”
Sheriff Watkins said PCAPS removed a total of twenty-one living animals from the property.
In a statement, Sheriff Watkins said: “These were horrible conditions that these dogs and cats were living in. No animal or human could survive in that type of environment for an extended amount of time.”
MUELLER was arrested on May 11, 2023, and the following day she was charged with twelve counts of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, a Class 4 Felony.
Back in May Sheriff Watkins said the Peoria County Sheriff's Office was “looking for another individual involved in this crime. Their name will be released at a later time.”
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Mugshots shared from the Peoria County Sheriff's Office.
