 A co-asset man has pleaded guilty to two counts of animal cruelty counts in Minnesota's ninth judicial district court. Forty-three-year-old Stephen Lee Michele agreed to the plea agreement on Monday. We first told you about the case involving Michele last December. Neighbors accused Michele of shooting their cats, and according to the criminal complaint in the case, Michele told investigators that he shot at the cats with the intent to kill them. Michele will be sentenced on April 30th in the Itasca County Courthouse. A victim statement will be presented to the court before the sentencing. Two counts Michele has pleaded guilty to are misdemeanors. Michele had also been charged with one felony count of mistreat torture animal resulting in death, but that count was dismissed as part of the plea agreement. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.