TOLEDO, Ohio — A suspect wanted for allegedly setting two American bulldog puppies on fire and killing them in July was indicted on federal charges Wednesday. She is also facing multiple federal drug charges related to fentanyl distribution.
According to a court document, a federal grand jury indicted Aaliiah Phillips on one count of animal crushing, which includes burning animals in U.S. law, for a July 23 incident in central Toledo in which she is accused of burning two American Bulldog puppies into a fire and killing them.
On July 23, the owner of the dogs told Toledo police officers he had dropped Phillips off at the residence at approximately midnight, after which he left to go to a cookout. When he returned home the following morning, the victim's neighbor told him Phillips had thrown two of his American Bulldog puppies into a fire she had started across the street off the curb. The victim showed officers the puppies, who were deceased and severely burned.
According to the indictment document, Phillips is also now facing three federal drug related charges of distribution of a controlled substance which included fentanyl. She is accused of distributing drugs mixed with fentanyl during a period in 2022.
Phillips was booked into the Lucas County Jail Thursday. She appeared before a federal magistrate in Toledo and was released on a $10,000 bond following a not guilty plea. Her pre-trial, which is to take place via telephone, is scheduled for Dec. 6 at 11:30 a.m.
Phillips was originally arrested and released on Sept. 20 on arson and criminal damaging charges. On Sept. 22, police issued a warrant for Phillips' arrest on a cruelty to animal charge.
UPDATE: Phillips' pretrial conference was held via telephone on Dec. 6. The pretrial conference was scheduled to continue on Feb. 7, 2024, to allow Phillips and her attorney time to "investigate the case, review discovery, and contemplation motion filing practice".
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