Thomas Martel, 25, of Wicker Park, Illinois, was released from jail on June 23, a single day after his sentencing for animal torture and aggravated cruelty to animals. Martel received a sentence of over four years but was credited with more than 1,000 days previously spent on electronic monitoring, allowing for his immediate release. He is now on six months of Mandatory Supervised Release and is prohibited from owning or having contact with animals.
The case, which came to light about three years ago, involves prosecutors stating Martel drowned and microwaved kittens. Martel's former girlfriend reportedly discovered evidence of his actions on June 18, 2023, after noticing several cats and kittens he had purchased had gone missing. According to a transcript from an August 2025 motion hearing, she found a Snapchat video Martel filmed of a kitten with the caption "Right before I murdered her." Prosecutors also stated another video showed Martel decapitating the same cat.
The girlfriend reported Martel to the police, alleging he drowned multiple kittens in his bathtub in May and June of 2023. She also claimed Martel showed her a microwaved cat and stated he had been killing felines since childhood.
Following Martel's release, neighbors have expressed outrage and concern, with flyers featuring his mugshot appearing in the Wicker Park neighborhood. The flyers urge residents to be aware of Martel's return and include a QR code linking to news articles about the case.
Jackie Groberski, executive director of SAYv Animal Organization, commented on the case, noting that it highlights the ease with which animals can be obtained online and the need for pet owners to take precautions. Many residents are reportedly furious that Martel served no additional prison time.
A petition on Change.org has been launched, demanding Martel receive the maximum sentence and undergo psychological evaluation, along with a lifetime ban on owning animals. The petition argues that the animals were sentient beings and that Martel's actions constitute extreme violence deserving of severe consequences, rejecting the idea that animal cruelty charges should be minimized.
