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| Abingdon Man Charged With Animal Cruelty, Domestic Battery Freed On Bond |
An Abingdon man is out of jail on bond after he was arrested by police for his role in a domestic disturbance last Friday night at a home where dead animals were discovered.
31-year old Michael Geier turned himself in at the Abingdon Police Department Wednesday night and appeared in Knox County Circuit Court on Thursday. His wife, 28-year old Rebecca Johnson-Geier, who was also arrested by police, posted his $500 bail amount.
Abingdon police were called to the Geier residence at 606 West Monmouth Street to investigate a domestic disturbance. But police say they as entered the home to search for Michael Geier, they instead found dead cats and dogs, along with several other animals that were alive at the time. Abingdon Police Chief Fred Andrews said the house was also littered with feces, fleas and rats. The animals taken out of the house alive later had to be euthanized because they were sick.
Police arrested Rebecca Johnson-Geier last Friday night on multiple animal cruelty charges and other counts. She posted bond and was released from jail the following day. Her husband is being formally charged with multiple misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty, domestic battery, interfering with a domestic violence report and two counts of endangering the life or health of a child since two children were found to also be living inside the residence. The children have been placed with relatives.
Rebecca Johnson-Geier asked a judge in court Thursday to have the domestic violence charges against her husband dismissed.
Michael Geier is scheduled to return to court August 14th for his first appearance with a public defender.
Abingdon's city attorney has been working to obtain a search warrant for the property. |
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| 07 09 09 by Newsroom |
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