We’re pleased by the sentencing of William Mitchell Keen, whose charges of indecent exposure and possession of child pornography led to his wife’s bestiality charges and sentencing.

On March 27, 2025, William Keen was sentenced to five years in prison for possession of child pornography and nine years in prison for indecency with a child, with five days of credit applied, to be served consecutively. 

Here’s the history. On March 13, 2024, Montgomery County deputies responded to a complaint at a grocery store where it was reported a man was following children and masturbating. This led to the arrest of William Keen on charges of indecent exposure; additional charges of indecency with a child by exposure were also added after some of the children were identified.

On March 27, 2024, he was arrested again and charged with child pornography based on images found. 

On November 4, 2024, his wife, Joely Keen, was sentenced to six months of incarceration for a charge of bestiality in connection with this case after investigators also found photos on his phone of her engaged in sexual acts with their Great Dane. It’s a small leap of faith to assume that he was the one who did the filming.

We sent a letter signed by 13,204 In Defense of Animals supporters to District Attorney Brett Ligon urging maximum sentencing for the Keens, including a full term of incarceration, mandated mental health support, and a ban from any animal contact. The letter noted the link between animal cruelty and the violent abuse of humans.

We are experiencing an astounding number of cases of child and animal molestation recently. The horror is that these offenders are so perverse that the loss of their freedom and the destruction of the lives of their victims mean nothing to them. Prosecutors and judges have to recognize that animal abuse is a red flag for pedophilia, domestic violence, and elder abuse.

Please take a moment to learn more about what we do to support animal victims of crime and how you can help.