WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. (Dec. 10, 2025) — In Defense of Animals decries Judge Dan Ritchey’s sentencing of Catholic Priest Charles Joseph Thessing, who trapped and cruelly drowned innocent cats.

Thessing received a plea bargain on December 8, 2025. There was no jail time imposed, and no reference to probation. His crimes cost him just $3,000 in total, including a mere $530 fine and $2,250 in restitution to the West Memphis Animal Shelter. For such an inexcusable and heinous crime, this sentence is a slap on the wrist.

“When a trusted leader commits such a loathsome crime, they must be held to a higher standard,” said In Defense of Animals’ Senior Campaigner Doll Stanley. “There is no excusable reason for killing animals who could have been surrendered to a regional shelter or rescue.”

Thessing, a senior priest serving West Memphis and Crittenden County, Ark., was suspended by the Diocese of Little Rock the day after a search of his residence uncovered deceased cats and traps. This individual’s actions are not representative of his parish or wider community. The deliberate act of trapping terrified cats and submerging them while they thrash for freedom and breath is both morally and criminally indefensible.

In Defense of Animals delivered a letter with 12,786 signatures to District Attorney Scott Ellington, urging maximum prosecution of Thessing, who was arrested on Feb., 2025, and charged with two Class D felonies for luring, trapping, and drowning cats. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Adam Holman represented the cats and shelter.

Under Arkansas law, Thessing’s crimes could have cost him up to a $10,000 fine, a year-long jail term, 400 hours of community service, and a court-ordered mental evaluation for each count.

Investigators report that Thessing allegedly lured trusting or hungry cats into traps where they panicked, fought for their lives, and were submerged in a water tank. The cats thrashed and gasped for breath as water flooded their lungs.

Acting on a tip to the West Memphis Animal Shelter, the West Memphis Police Department obtained a search warrant and worked with Animal Services to investigate. Thessing was charged with two counts of Class D aggravated animal cruelty for the two drowned cats discovered at his residence. He bonded out two hours after his arrest.

In Defense of Animals sent a letter in March to Anthony B. Taylor of the Diocese of Little Rock, requesting that Thessing’s suspension be made permanent. No response has been received.

“For a man of the cloth to commit such a heinous act of cruelty is unconscionable. A representative of a faith that teaches kindness to God’s creatures may face legal consequences, but should never be reinstated in the trusted position of priesthood,” stated Stanley. “This sentence falls far short of Arkansas law and will disappoint animal advocates locally and nationally. It shows Judge Dan Ritchey and Prosecutor Adam Holman treated this case with apathy for the cats who died a terrifying and painful death and ignored the known link between animal abuse and other violent tendencies. Thessing’s actions have caused great harm, and this miscarriage of justice and failure of the Diocese of Little Rock to act leaves him a continuing risk to society.”

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Contact: Doll Stanley, doll@idausa.org (662) 809-4483

Case number: 18cr-25-130 

Sentencing court: Dist. 11 Circuit Court of Crittenden County, AR

Judge: Judge Dan Ritchey

Arrest date: Feb. 7, 2025

Statutes:

* Arkansas Code Annotated § 5-62-103 — Cruelty to animals

* Arkansas Code Annotated § 5-62-104 (a) (b) — Aggravated cruelty to a dog, cat, or equine (Class D felony)

* Arkansas Code Annotated § 5-4-201 — Sentencing guidelines and penalty range

Images: https://bit.ly/Thessing

Video: https://youtube.com/shorts/NEe0CQJ99ZE

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a history of protecting animals, people, and the environment through education and campaigns, as well as hands-on rescue in California, India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi, since 1983. www.idausa.org/justice4animals

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