BOONTON, NJ – Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announces Tonya Fea, 49-years-old, from Boonton, New Jersey was sentenced today for committing an act of animal cruelty. On April 30, 2019, members of the West Milford Police Department and the Jefferson Township Police Department began an animal cruelty investigation.
The officers received a call regarding a deceased Golden Retriever puppy in a crate along the bank of Greenwood Pond on Bonter Road in West Milford, New Jersey. Upon receipt of the information the officers responded to the scene where they recovered the remains. Based on the investigation, Ms. Fea was arrested on May 7, 2019. Ms. Fea pled guilty on August 12, 2021, before the Honorable Marilyn C. Clark, J.S.C. to one count of third-degree Animal Cruelty. On October 5, 2021, Judge Clark sentenced Ms. Fea to 5 years of probation with a condition that she serve 180 days in Passaic County Jail.
In addition, Ms. Fea will be required to perform 100 hours of community service and refrain from owning dogs in the future. The State was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Kerry Salkin. The defendant was represented by Richard Baldi, Esq. Any inquiries may be directed to Passaic County Assistant Prosecutor Kerry Salkin, who can be reached at 973-225-5443 or kerrys@passaiccountynj.org.