In Defense of Animals celebrates a meaningful victory for Joffrey, a kitten who survived being deliberately set on fire, after the Ohio man responsible was convicted and sentenced to prison.

On April 27, 2026, Eric Keith Williams pleaded guilty to felony cruelty to an animal companion causing serious harm and felony possession of criminal tools in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court. Judge E. Gerald Parker Jr. sentenced Williams to an aggregate prison term of 24 months, with credit for 303 days already served.

Williams was originally indicted on additional charges, including arson, unlawful possession of dangerous ordnance, and having weapons while under disability. Those charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

In Defense of Animals launched an alert in September 2024 after Williams was accused of setting the kitten on fire on July 7, 2024, in Dayton’s Five Oaks neighborhood.

Dayton police officers responding to a reported fight found the severely burned kitten near a home on Kenwood Avenue. An empty gas can was found on the porch. The confrontation had reportedly begun after neighbors became outraged over Williams and others laughing about the kitten being burned.

The kitten, later named Joffrey, was rushed to the Humane Society of Greater Dayton in critical condition. He received approximately three months of intensive treatment at The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center. His burns were so severe that he lost his ears, but throughout his painful recovery, Joffrey remained affectionate and trusting toward his caregivers.

Joffrey was ultimately adopted by one of the veterinary professionals who helped care for him. He is now safe, loved, and surrounded by people devoted to his well-being.

Montgomery County Prosecuting Attorney Mat Heck Jr. didn’t let Joffrey’s suffering go unpunished.

More than 12,400 In Defense of Animals supporters signed our alert urging Montgomery County Prosecuting Attorney Mat Heck Jr. to pursue meaningful consequences, including incarceration, a mental health assessment, and restrictions preventing Williams from having contact with animals.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who signed and shared our alert. Together, we made it clear that intentional violence against an animal must be treated as a serious crime and that compassionate people around the world were watching this case.

Williams’ two-year prison sentence is a significant victory. It creates a meaningful interruption in his life, holds him accountable for the horrific suffering inflicted on Joffrey, and sends a strong message that extreme animal cruelty has serious consequences.

As a devoted cat guardian himself to two cats, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Rizzo sought and secured justice for Joffrey.

In Defense of Animals thanks Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Rizzo and the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office for pursuing this case, and Judge E. Gerald Parker Jr. for imposing a meaningful prison sentence. Although the sentencing took place in April, we are sharing this important victory now to close the loop with the thousands of compassionate people who stood up for Joffrey and helped demand justice.

Joffrey endured unimaginable pain, but he survived. Today, he is safe and cherished, and the man responsible for harming him has been convicted and sentenced to prison.

Thank you for standing with Joffrey. Your action helped show prosecutors and the court that his suffering mattered and that the public expected meaningful accountability.

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