Man Pleads Guilty To Killing Kitten, Setting Fires In Woodbridge

WOODBRIDGE, VA — Last week, a Woodbridge man pleaded guilty to killing a kitten and setting fires at an apartment in the spring of 2023.

The man, Frederick Pierce, faced charges of animal cruelty and arson. He submitted guilty pleas to both charges on Thursday.

Pierce is scheduled to be sentenced on April 25. He could face up to ten years in prison, based on Virginia's sentencing guidelines.

On May 26, 2023, Prince William County police officers responded to an apartment at Potomac Heights Place for a reported domestic dispute. The 911 caller was visibly upset and crying, a report from prosecutors said.

The caller told police that she left for work that morning with Misty, her 3-month-old kitten, in her room. When the woman returned from work, her bedroom door was open and Misty was lying on the floor, her legs barely moving.

"Frederick Pierce, the defendant, admitted he struck the cat with a shoe stating that the kitten was 'bad' and that it destroyed furniture," a report from the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney said. "He further said the kitten came into the room and kept bothering him, so he came into the hallway and struck it two times in the head with his blue Jordan shoe, which he was wearing."

Misty later died from her injuries.

On June 14, 2023, a Prince William County fire marshal responded to the same apartment for a reported arson. Witnesses said Pierce had set fires and threatened to burn the apartment down, according to prosecutors.

"A witness observed a fire at the foot of Mr. Pierce’s bed and extinguished the fire with the aid of another witness," the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney said. "They then locked Mr. Pierce out of the apartment and after he failed to gain re-entry, they heard the smoke detectors from the hallway activate and saw smoke via the peep hole."

A neighbor extinguished the blaze with assistance from police officers.

"Animal cruelty is a serious offense that will not be tolerated in our community," Amy Ashworth, Prince William County's Commonwealth's Attorney, said. "My office remains committed to vigorously prosecuting individuals who engage in such reprehensible acts, seeking justice for the helpless victims who cannot speak for themselves. This case serves as a reminder that our community will not tolerate such acts of violence and those who commit them will be held accountable."