ADAMS COUNTY, Miss. (WLBT) – An Adams County man has been found guilty on six counts of simple cruelty to a cat or dog and sentenced to three years in jail, according to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.

Jaramy Johnson exercised his right to a trial in Adams County Justice Court rather than resolving his case through a plea agreement, officials said.

Following the presentation of evidence, Justice Court Judge Danny Barber found Johnson guilty on all six counts.

Judge Barber sentenced Johnson to pay a $1,000 fine on each count, totaling $6,000.

He was also sentenced to six months in the Adams County Jail for each count.

Barber ordered the jail sentences to run consecutively, meaning Johnson will serve a total of 36 months, or three years, in jail.

The remaining charges against Johnson were remanded to file in Justice Court.

Sheriff Travis Patten credited the Adams County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, Animal Crimes Investigator Karren Ewing, responding deputies, the Animal Rescue Corps, Dr. Hickman, and the staff of the Natchez Veterinary Clinic for their roles in the investigation.

He also thanked the citizen whose report initiated the case.

“This conviction sends a clear message that animal cruelty has serious consequences in Adams County,” Patten said in a statement. “I commend Judge Danny Barber for the time and attention given to this case, as well as our investigators and partners whose dedication ensured these animals received the justice they deserved.”

Patten added that his office remains committed to aggressively investigating and prosecuting animal abuse and neglect cases.

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