ALEDO, Ill — A Sherrard woman accused of hoarding nearly 200 dogs in her home has been found guilty on 10 charges of aggravated cruelty to animals.
Mercer County Judge Matthew Durbin gave the guilty verdict Wednesday, March 6. Plambeck was found guilty on 11 of the 12 charges brought against her.
Each charge is a class four felony carrying a potential sentence of one to three years in prison. Plambeck's sentencing is scheduled for June 10 at 9 a.m.
Plambeck chose to have her case tried in a bench trial instead of a trial by jury. The trial began on Tuesday, Feb. 27, when police bodycam footage showed the courtroom the conditions of the home, with numerous dogs locked in cages and water buckets filled with bugs.
The charges in Plambeck's case date back to August 2022. Mercer County Animal Control received an animal welfare complaint regarding Plambeck's home, and a warranted search of her property recovered 198 dogs, according to the Mercer County Sheriff's Office.
Plambeck also faced a previous animal cruelty offense back in 2019, however, those charges were negotiated down to disorderly conduct. Plambeck served 24 months of probation and paid a $300 fine in that case.
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