ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A former Pennsylvania kennel owner who served time for animal cruelty has pleaded guilty to further animal cruelty charges.
Fifty-one-year-old Derbe “Skip” Eckhart of Emmaus pleaded guilty Monday in Allentown to dozens of animal cruelty and neglect counts and no contest to witness intimidation in cases involving animals at properties in Heidelberg and Upper Milford Township.
The pleas came as part of an agreement with prosecutors calling for concurrent sentences with a maximum term of 10½ to 21 years in state prison. Chief Deputy District Attorney Jay Jenkins said he may also face hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and restitution
Eckhart was convicted of animal cruelty in 2010 and spent more than nine months in jail. He was also prohibited from owning animals other than his own pets.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.