Man in animal cruelty case violates probation

KALISPELL (AP) — A man convicted of felony aggravated cruelty to animals in a Flathead County cat-hoarding case has failed to meet the requirements of his two-year deferred sentence by using drugs and failing to get a job or pay restitution.

The Daily Inter Lake reports (http://bit.ly/U8f3rL Edwin Criswell was sentenced Thursday to two years with the Montana Department of Corrections.

Criswell and his wife, Cheryl, were convicted in September 2011. He was given a two-year deferred sentence and they were ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution to the Flathead County Animal Shelter, which cared for the 116 rescued cats.

Criswell acknowledged testing positive for marijuana and methamphetamine, but said he had a medical marijuana card. His probation officer said medical marijuana cards are revoked when the holder is convicted of a felony.___