FARGO, ND (trfnews.i234.me) – Carlos Perez, 24, of Fargo, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for a series of violent acts, including the abuse of his ex-girlfriend and the horrific killing of her kitten using a microwave.
Cass County Judge Cherie Clark handed down the sentence on Monday, June 10, giving Perez five years for aggravated domestic assault and terrorizing, which will be served concurrently. An additional three years were added for animal cruelty.
“This was pure torture,” prosecutor Katie Nechiporenko stated regarding the killing of the kitten.
Perez pleaded guilty to three Class C felonies. The investigation began on September 3 after a woman reported being assaulted by Perez. He demanded she return home early from work to use her phone. When she was late, he slapped her, splitting her lip, and broke her phone when she tried to call 911.
In previous incidents from August, Perez cut the woman’s finger with a knife, requiring stitches, and killed her kitten out of anger over her attending a concert. He sent her pictures of the cat on a stove burner, hit it with a speaker, choked it, burned its feet with a lighter, and ultimately killed it in a microwave.
Perez threatened the woman’s life and her family, which led to an overwhelming fear overshadowing her life. A letter from the victim, read by a relative, described Perez’s “sadistic nature” and the constant threats he posed.
Judge Clark acknowledged Perez’s criminal history and lack of remorse, highlighting the escalation of his violent behavior. She noted that Perez used an innocent kitten to manipulate his victim and emphasized that domestic violence is about power and control.
Perez’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 18.