Two Brick Township women have pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to the mistreatment of animals and a minor.
Michele Nycz, 60, and Aimee Lonczak, 51, appeared before Judge Guy P. Ryan and admitted to their crimes. Nycz pleaded guilty to two counts of Animal Cruelty, while Lonczak pleaded guilty to Child Neglect and two counts of Animal Cruelty.
The investigation began on December 2, 2022, when Brick Township Police Department officers responded to an anonymous complaint about a possible puppy mill at a residence on Arrowhead Park Drive. Upon arrival, officers detected a strong odor and heard barking coming from the residence. Inside, they found unsanitary conditions, animal crates stacked on top of each other, and a total of 172 animals, including dogs and cats. Two deceased dogs were also found.
Due to the hazardous conditions, a Hazmat team was called in to remove the animals, and Lonczak and Nycz were taken into custody. Lonczak’s 16-year-old child was also living in the residence.
As part of their plea deal, both women face 364 days in the Ocean County Jail as a condition of probation, a lifetime ban on owning animals, a ban on working with animals, and community service that does not involve animals. Sentencing is scheduled for August 16, 2024.