TURKISH CITIZEN SENTENCED FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY

05/08/2009
PRESS RELEASE RELEASE DATE: 05/08/09 CONTACT INFO: Charles Branson Douglas County District Attorney 785-841-0211 cbranson@douglas-county.com TURKISH CITIZEN SENTENCED FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces today the sentencing of Cem Basoflas, the 21 year old KU student and Turkey native who earlier this year had been living in the 2100 block of Heatherwood Drive. Basoflas pled guilty as charged on April 6th to two counts of cruelty to animals. Basoflas was sentenced to 30 days in each case to run concurrently in the Douglas County Jail, he was fined $500 in each case for a total of $1000, he was ordered to pay the Lawrence Humane Society $1,400 in restitution for investigative fees, and $3,473.10 in restitution to James Kraft, DVM. "Mr. Basoflas will remain in custody of the Douglas County Jail until the United States Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) takes custody of him. While I have a strong desire to see Mr. Basoflas serve a significant sentence in jail, I must do what is best for our community. At a jail expense of $113 a day, public safety is best served by his deportation from our community and our country," advised Branson. The sentencing was held today in front of The Honorable Robert W. Fairchild; the investigations were conducted by the Lawrence Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Allen. -30-

Media Contact:
Cheryl L. Wright-Assistant to the District Attorney
District Attorney's Office
785-841-0211
cwright@douglas-county.com