FREEHOLD – Two Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutors have been honored as “Animal Defenders” for their part in a pair of animal cruelty cases.
Keri-Leigh Schaefer and Sevan Biramian were granted the distinction by the California-based Animal Legal Defense Fund for their successful prosecutions in two animal abuse cases that led to years-long prison sentences for the abusers.
The duo prosecuted Bani Mezquititla, who admitted to torturing a cat, and Christopher Sanchez, who had decapitated his cat. Both crimes took place in March 2023.
“Simply put, these two cases prosecuted by Ms. Schaefer and Mr. Biramian involved some of the most horrific examples of animal abuse imaginable – but thanks to their dedication, tenacity, and superb legal skills, the final outcome was two of the longest sentences for such cases in state history,” Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said. “We couldn’t be prouder of them.”
The first case sparked attention after a concerned citizen brought the body of a dead cat to Asbury Park Police Department headquarters. Authorities and members of the Law Enforcement Division of the Monmouth County SCPA learned that the cat, named “Ellie,” had belonged to 20-year-old Mezquititla of Asbury Park.
Investigation revealed that Mezquititla performed sexual acts on the animal, as well as restrained and tortured the cat.
The second animal abuse case emerged from Howell Township, after police were called to investigate the death of a cat named “Lilith.” Sanchez, 30, of Howell, had used a sharp instrument to kill the animal, recording photos and video footage of the act.
Both defendants pleaded guilty to animal cruelty.
Mezquititla was sentenced to five years in state prison, the maximum allowed by law. He was also ordered to pay for the cat’s necropsy and was banned for life from owning, living with or having custody over any animal.
Sanchez was sentenced to four and a half years in prison, and was ordered to pay for the necropsy and to surrender all of his privately owned firearms. Sanchez is banned for life from owning, living with or having custody over any animal.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund described “Animal Defenders” as “individuals who have gone above and beyond in addressing crimes committed against animals, whether as law enforcement officers, prosecutors, veterinarians, law-makers, or otherwise.”
For Schaefer and Biramian, the organization specifically cited their efforts to outline in court the links “between animal cruelty and interpersonal violence, and the importance of acknowledging animal cruelty as a serious and dangerous crime.”
“It was abundantly clear from an extraordinary outpouring of support for our team – via email, letters, phone calls, and otherwise, coming from across the country – that these were matters that struck a deep chord with the public,” said Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Falco, Director of the MCPO Professional Responsibility Unit, which supervised the prosecutions. “We are all sincerely grateful to the Animal Legal Defense Fund for their recognition of Keri’s and Sevan’s efforts, and hope that it sends a broader message that animal cruelty has no place whatsoever in civilized society.”
