A Santa Ana man accused of killing and injuring up to 20 cats failed to appear at his arraignment Wednesday, prompting authorities to issue a warrant for his arrest.
Alejandro Oliveros Acosta, 46, is facing serious animal cruelty charges. On Monday, he was charged with two felony counts of animal cruelty, one felony count of stealing a companion animal, and one misdemeanor count of drug possession. His arraignment was scheduled at Orange County Superior Court, where about 25 animal rights activists were expected to attend, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Acosta did not appear in court. As a result, his $40,000 bail was forfeited. Prosecutors tried to raise the bail to $100,000, said Kimberly Edds, spokesperson for the district attorney. She described Acosta as “an immense danger.”
If convicted on all charges, Acosta faces a maximum sentence of five years and four months, according to the district attorney’s office.
“This is a case of horrific violence,” Edds said. She thanked the community for its support and confirmed that an animal abuse specialist would handle the prosecution.
The Times could not find legal representation for Acosta. He was first arrested on April 23 by police in Santa Ana and Westminster. Authorities suspect him in a series of brutal attacks on neighborhood cats.
In a motion to increase bail, Deputy District Attorney Danica Drotman stated that Acosta admitted to killing about 20 cats. He also allegedly confessed to hanging two or three cats from a tree.
Investigators found cat remains at Acosta’s home during his arrest. Between November and April, Santa Ana Animal Control received at least seven reports of dead or injured cats found near Acosta’s residence. Many had broken backs and bloodied faces. Several cat owners identified Acosta as the man who lured their pets away.
Edds said the investigation is ongoing and encouraged more witnesses to contact Santa Ana or Westminster police.
Westminster police joined the investigation because one charge involves a stolen Bengal Lynx cat named Clubber. On March 21, surveillance footage showed a man using a can of food to lure the cat before driving off in a white Toyota Tacoma. Clubber was later found safe and returned to his owner, Eva Corlew of Westminster.
Authorities say another neighbor witnessed Acosta on April 3 grab a cat and slam it over his head. According to court documents, Acosta mutilated and tortured that cat. Just two days later, surveillance video captured him stomping on a cat.
Public anger intensified after these reports. In April, about 100 people gathered outside Acosta’s home for a “Vigil for Justice.” The protest, promoted on social media, turned violent despite being billed as peaceful.
Fox 11 footage showed protesters shaking a wooden fence and shouting through bullhorns. One person tried to force open a driveway gate. Another sprayed aerosol onto the property. Santa Ana Police reported that some protesters threw objects at both Acosta’s home and another house believed to belong to a relative.
Police confirmed that Acosta was not present at either location during the protest. The case remains open as officials continue to search for him.
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