Guilty Verdict in Animal Cruelty Case
Pam Polejewski, a woman from Montana, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for her role in evidence tampering and animal cruelty charges. The guilty verdict was delivered by a jury on March 4 after a two-day trial. The charges stem from a 2020 animal cruelty case in which Polejewski was found guilty by a jury of aggravated animal cruelty and three counts of cruelty to animals. In that case, she was charged with animal cruelty after a fire at her property, where officers found animals in poor conditions.
Evidence Tampering Charges
Polejewski’s guilty verdict on evidence tampering charges was announced on April 23. The charges stem from her attempts to hide evidence of animal cruelty on her property. In February 2024, deputies were investigating reports of animal cruelty on her property when Michael Hanson, a friend of Polejewski’s, was shot and killed by a deputy. The police investigation revealed that Polejewski had been hiding evidence of animal cruelty and had enlisted the help of others to remove the animals or evidence. The police also found animals and pet supplies on her property.
Sentencing
Judge David Grubich sentenced Polejewski to 10 years in the Montana State Prison with 7 years suspended to run concurrently. He also ordered her to pay $2,782.13 in restitution to a woman who provided emergency veterinary care to cats and kittens found on Polejewski’s property. The restitution only included an emergency vet visit and follow-up care, but not a $6,000 surgery performed by a Bozeman specialist on one of the kittens.
Restitution
The woman who received the restitution had provided emergency veterinary care to the cats and kittens found on Polejewski’s property. She had also adopted the two kittens found during the investigation. The restitution did not include the cost of a $6,000 surgery performed by a Bozeman specialist on one of the kittens. The woman had paid for the surgery out of her own pocket.
Previous Charges
Polejewski had been previously charged with animal cruelty in a 2020 case. She was found guilty by a jury of aggravated animal cruelty and three counts of cruelty to animals.
As part of her sentence, Polejewski is prohibited from owning, possessing, controlling, supervising, sheltering, or feeding any animals, even temporarily.
Polejewski was handcuffed and transported back to the county jail after the sentencing hearing. She will await transport to the Montana State Prison.
Several people submitted letters in support of Polejewski’s character, and several testified on her behalf during the April 23 hearing. These included her older sister, a longtime friend, and a relative of Michael Hanson, the man killed in the February 2024 shooting. The supporters testified that Polejewski was kind, intelligent, and had a good heart.
The prosecutor, John Brothers, recommended a prison sentence for Polejewski. He argued that her criminal history dated back to the 1990s and included 30 misdemeanor and four felony convictions. Brothers said that Polejewski’s criminal history was a clear indication of her lack of accountability and her tendency to reoffend.
Polejewski’s defense attorney, Brian Haynes, argued that his client’s criminal history was not as extensive as the prosecutor claimed. Haynes said that many of Polejewski’s past charges had been dismissed. Haynes also argued that Polejewski had been complying with court orders and meeting with her probation officer and therapist in the last four months.
Judge Grubich sentenced Polejewski to 10 years in prison, with 7 years suspended to run concurrently. He also ordered her to pay $2,782.13 in restitution to the woman who provided emergency veterinary care to the cats and kittens. Grubich said that Polejewski’s history of animal cruelty and evidence tampering was a clear indication of her lack of accountability and her tendency to reoffend.
Polejewski’s sentencing marks a significant step in the case. The guilty verdict and sentence demonstrate the seriousness with which the court is taking Polejewski’s crimes. The restitution ordered by Grubich will help to compensate the woman who provided emergency veterinary care to the cats and kittens. Polejewski’s sentence will also serve as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to commit similar crimes. As the case moves forward, it will be important to continue to monitor Polejewski’s progress and ensure that she complies with the terms of her sentence. In the meantime, the community can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that justice has been served in this case. Polejewski was found guilty of evidence tampering and animal cruelty charges in a separate case. In that case, she was convicted of aggravated animal cruelty and three counts of cruelty to animals. Polejewski was sentenced to 10 years in prison for her role in evidence tampering and animal cruelty charges. The guilty verdict was delivered by a jury on March 4 after a two-day trial. Polejewski’s guilty verdict on evidence tampering charges was announced on April 23. The charges stem from her attempts to hide evidence of animal cruelty on her property. Polejewski was found guilty of animal cruelty charges in a separate case. In that case, she was convicted of aggravated animal cruelty and three counts of cruelty to animals. Polejewski’s sentencing marks a significant step in the case. The guilty verdict and sentence demonstrate the seriousness with which the court is taking Polejewski’s crimes. The restitution ordered by Grubich will help to compensate the woman who provided emergency veterinary care to the cats and kittens. Polejewski’s sentence will also serve as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to commit similar crimes. As the case moves forward, it will be important to continue to monitor Polejewski’s progress and ensure that she complies with the terms of her sentence. In the meantime, the community can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that justice has been served in this case.