INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A co-owner of Vicki and Fred's Reptiles in Vero Beach was in jail Thursday serving an eight-month sentence on animal cruelty and other related charges.
Victoria Genaldi, 30, of the 600 block of Fifth Street Southwest, pleaded no contest Wednesday to charges of cruelty to animals, sale of wildlife without a permit and improper caging of a reptile. County Judge David Morgan sentenced her to eight months in jail.
Genaldi initially pleaded not guilty to the three charges. However, a bench warrant for her arrest was issued when she failed to show up for her June trial. She struck the plea agreement with the state after she was rearrested last month.
The State Attorney's Office agreed to drop a failure to appear charge with the plea.
"We feel the State Attorney's Office did a very good job with the case," said Ilka Daniel, outreach director for the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County.
Genaldi's public defender attorney could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Most of the animals and reptiles found last December by law enforcement officers at the pet store were housed by the Humane Society. Genaldi later signed the animals over to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which signed them over to the Humane Society.
More than 100 snakes, 77 lizards and a few turtles, frogs, tarantulas and others were in need of water when they were found, according to the arrest affidavit. Investigators also found a dozen dead snakes, lizards and scorpions in cages, the affidavit stated.
Each rescued animal and reptile received veterinary attention. However, most were in too bad condition to be saved, Daniel said.
The ones that were healthy enough were placed with nonprofit, state-registered educational facilities, she said.
"We are extremely concerned with people that harbor exotic pets," said Daniel. "We want to make sure those who do harbor them do it properly. We are pleased with the outcome (of the plea agreement)."
Morgan also ordered Genaldi to pay almost $10,000 in restitution to the Humane Society and about $1,700 to Fish and Wildlife for its investigation costs.
Link (subscription)