MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Mineola man was arraigned on a grand jury indictment today for allegedly mutilating four kittens and throwing their bodies in a garbage chute.
Justin Visconti, 38, was arraigned before Judge Howard Sturim and charged with four counts of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals (an E felony) and four counts of Overdriving, Torturing and Injuring Animals (an A misdemeanor). The defendant was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court on September 2. If convicted of the top count, the defendant faces a maximum of two years in jail.
“This defendant is accused of repeatedly beating helpless kittens and throwing their mutilated bodies down a garbage chute,” DA Singas said. “In addition to this indictment, the defendant was recently rearrested for allegedly possessing yet another cat, in violation of a court order. Repeatedly beating defenseless animals is shocking to the conscience and my office is committed to holding this defendant accountable for his alleged actions.”
DA Singas said that on November 25, 2019, employees of an apartment building located on Lincoln Avenue in Mineola, found three dead and mutilated kittens with a pillowcase inside a garbage bag in the building’s garbage chute.
After Nassau County Police officers, detectives, and NCDA Investigators arrived on the scene, a fourth kitten was found inside a box allegedly addressed to the defendant.
Upon examination, veterinarians at the Town of North Hempstead Animal Shelter and Cornell University’s Animal Health Diagnostic Center observed extensive blunt force trauma injuries covering the dead kittens’ bodies. The defendant was arrested by NCPD Detectives on November 26, 2019.
Additionally, the defendant was re-arrested on August 6, 2020, and charged with Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree (an A misdemeanor) for allegedly being in possession of a cat, which is in violation of a court order under the case mentioned above. The defendant was issued a desk appearance ticket and is due back in court on that case on September 10.
Assistant District Attorney Brooke Salvatore of DA Singas’ Animal Crimes Unit is prosecuting this case. The defendant is represented by Anthony La Pinta, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.
###