PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WPRI) — The Pawtucket city employee who's facing animal cruelty charges has changed his plea, 12 News has learned.

Jeff Almeida, 54, pleaded no contest to five counts of unnecessary cruelty to animals Monday in Kent County District Court.

Court records indicate Almeida received an 11-month filing, meaning if he stays out of trouble the charges will eventually be expunged from his record. He was also ordered to complete 20 hours of community service.

Almeida turned himself in at the Warwick Police Department over the summer following an investigation at the Narragansett Avenue home where he used to live.

Officers stopped by the home earlier this year after a 911 hang-up call. Police said the man who lived there, identified as Michael Gast Jr., was combative with the off

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