Two charged in cruelty case

Published 10:38 pm Friday, December 5, 2014

Two men have been indicted and arrested following an investigation into an animal cruelty case that occurred in Suffolk.

Sazama

Sazama

Ian T. Sazama, 21, of Fort Eustis, and Alexander J. Meese, 23, of Newport News, are charged in the case. They were arrested in Newport News.

According to a Suffolk press release, the two men are suspected of killing and burying a dog.

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On Oct. 15, officers met with complainants who believed that their dog, a 1-year-old female lab/pit bull mix named Luna, had been shot and killed by the two friends who were initially asked to take the dog to the Newport News SPCA on Oct. 10.

Upon preliminary investigation, it was found the dog had been shot and then buried at the property in the 1900 block of Bridge Road on Oct. 11, according to the press release.

Sazama is charged with cruelty to animals; maiming, killing or poisoning animals; conspiracy to commit a felony; and discharging a firearm within 200 yards from any structure.

Meese

Meese

Meese is charged with obstructing justice; malicious wounding of an animal; conspiracy to commit animal cruelty; and animal cruelty.