ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Feb. 17, 2026) — In Defense of Animals is sounding the alarm after an Atlantic City man, convicted of torturing and killing cats, was released from jail just one day after being sentenced to almost a year. While the organization applauds the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office for their prosecution of this case, animal advocates are alarmed that a plea deal and legislative loopholes allowed Edwin Sanabia to walk free.

Sanabia originally faced up to 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine for multiple felony charges. Instead, Superior Court Judge Donna Taylor sentenced Sanabia to a $1,000 fine and five years probation, conditioned on serving 364 days in the Atlantic County Justice facility. He must not acquire or live with any animals. Yet he has already been released due to 237 days already served. However, because Sanabia had already been detained for 237 days awaiting trial, and because New Jersey's animal cruelty statutes shockingly lack a mandatory parole ineligibility period, the jail credited his time served and released him immediately.

The Atlantic City police arrested Sanabia last year after investigating reports from concerned citizens about cats being killed. He was charged with 13 counts of animal cruelty for allegedly luring cats into his home with food, only to torture and kill them before throwing their bodies away. 

He was initially charged with 13 felony counts of cruelty to animals-torture and two disorderly conduct charges for cruelly handling animals. Following a grand jury indictment, he was left facing 11 counts total, including eight third degree counts under 4:22–17 (C)(2) and three fourth degree counts under 4:22–17 (C)(1). In the lead up to his sentencing, In Defense of Animals sent a letter with 11,042 signatures to Prosecutor William E. Reynolds supporting the maximum sentence in this case.

“It is profoundly disheartening that a loophole in the penal system allows a convicted animal torturer to walk free immediately after sentencing. Many cats may have suffered at Sanabia’s hands, and he has proven what law enforcement has long known — that those who harm animals are a danger to all members of society,” said Doll Stanley, In Defense of Animals’ Senior Campaigner. "While we are grateful to Chief Assistant Prosecutor Lynn Heyer for fighting against his release in court, this outcome highlights a glaring weakness in New Jersey's animal cruelty laws. Sanabia’s psychotic drive to harm vulnerable animals and threaten community members makes his immediate release a true public safety risk. A 364-day sentence should mean 364 days.”

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Contact: Doll Stanley, doll@idausa.org, (662) 809-4483

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization based in Marin Co., California, with over 250,000 supporters fighting for animals, people, and the environment through education and campaigns, as well as hands-on rescue facilities in California, India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi since 1983. www.idausa.org/justice4animals

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