A man accused of dragging a stolen dog to its death in the Colorado National Monument pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to a federal charge of aggravated animal cruelty.
Steven Romero, 38, of Grand Junction will remain in federal custody. He is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Philip Brimmer on July 30.
Jeff Dorschner, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Denver, said Romero is not receiving a plea deal.
Romero faces up to three years in federal prison, a $100,000 fine or both.
Buddy, a German shepherd mix, was found dead Dec. 30. Romero is accused of placing a rope around Buddy’s neck, tying him to the back of a truck and driving until the dog died.
Prosecutors say Romero’s sister had stolen the animal from the back of a pickup truck in Fruita but later told Romero to “get rid” of it.
Romero’s sister, Melissa Lockhart, faces a felony charge for lying to investigators. She is next due in court on May 10.
