DETROIT — A 38-year-old Detroit resident has pleaded guilty to an animal torture charge connected to a social media video that prosecutors say showed a raccoon being burned alive.
Case details and arrest
Authorities say the incident occurred June 17 at a residence in the 12000 block of Washburn Street. The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office charged the man, identified in court records as Henry Bernard Montgomery, on June 22 with one count of killing or torturing an animal in the third degree. Detroit Police investigated and arrested him on June 20.
"pleaded guilty as charged."
Prosecutors allege Montgomery tortured and set fire to the raccoon at about 10:44 a.m. and then posted video of the act to social media. The footage prompted the police inquiry and subsequent criminal filing.
Proposed sentence and court action
During the July hearing, a judge issued what is known as a Cobb’s Evaluation — a statement indicating the sentence the judge intends to impose at sentencing. Judge Bradley Cobb indicated he plans to impose 18 months of probation, a period that is above the recommended guideline range for the offense, which was listed at zero to 11 months.
Under the judge’s proposed sentence, Montgomery would also face several conditions and penalties:
- Prohibition on owning or possessing pets while on probation;
- Completion of 80 hours of community service;
- Payment of applicable fines and court costs;
- Completion of an animal protection class.
Next steps and local context
Montgomery is scheduled to be sentenced at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 14 before Judge Cobb. The Cobb’s Evaluation is advisory in nature; the final sentence will be handed down at that hearing, though the evaluation signals the judge’s likely disposition.
Animal cruelty cases that are recorded and shared online pose particular challenges for investigators and prosecutors. Digital evidence can provide direct documentation of alleged wrongdoing, but it also tends to attract public attention and emotional responses from residents and advocacy groups. Prosecutors commonly factor that evidence into charging and plea decisions when it clearly demonstrates the conduct alleged.
Legal framework and penalties
In Michigan, third-degree animal torture or killing is a criminal offense with a range of penalties that can vary based on circumstances and prior record. Sentences can include incarceration, probation and conditions such as restitution, community service and restrictions on animal ownership. In this case, the judge’s Cobb’s Evaluation recommends probation and several ancillary requirements rather than jail time within the guideline range.
| Item | Judge's proposed outcome |
|---|---|
| Probation | 18 months |
| Guideline range | 0 to 11 months |
| Community service | 80 hours |
| Additional requirements | Fines, costs, animal protection class, no pet ownership during probation |
The Detroit Police Department and the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office handled the investigation and charges. No additional details about the circumstances leading up to the incident, any prior criminal history for Montgomery, or statements from defense counsel were included in the public filing summarized by prosecutors.
Animal welfare advocates and city residents often monitor such cases closely, seeking accountability when evidence of intentional cruelty appears. The upcoming Oct. 14 sentencing will determine whether the judge follows the evaluation or imposes a different penalty.
We will update this report after the Oct. 14 hearing and if further court filings become available.
