Iowa City man accused in ‘horrific’ torture of roommate’s cat receives two-year suspended sentence

IOWA CITY - Leo Nopoulos was in a 'drug-induced psychosis” brought on by sleep deprivation and the abuse of a multitude of drugs when he tortured and abused his roommate's cat over two days last October, his attorney said Monday.

Nopoulos was high on opiates, cocaine, meth and marijuana - the culmination of a downward spiral into drug abuse - when the cat was tortured to the point of losing vision in one eye, an act both the defense and prosecution described as 'horrific.”

'I think what happened on Oct. 8 and 9 was a cry for help from Leo,” said Joseph Moreland, Nopolous' attorney, who said his client was a former Eagle Scout who raised cats on his family's farm outside of West Branch.

Iowa City police said Nopoulos was caught on video abusing his roommate's cat sometime between Oct. 8 and 9, 2014. The abuse occurred at their residence at 1856 Algonquin Road in Iowa City.

Police said the video evidence, captured in one of the roommate's bedrooms, shows Nopoulos abusing the cat, 'non-stop, for a period lasting longer than three hours.” Nopoulos is seen throwing the cat against the ceiling, punching and kicking the cat, and hitting the cat with numerous objects, including an air freshener can and a remote control.

Nopoulos is seen on the video searching for the cat after it gets away from him so he can continue to abuse and torture the animal, police said. Police said Nopoulos admitted to abusing the cat to his roommates, parents and responding officer.

Nopoulos checked himself into a 30-day inpatient drug treatment plan after his October arrest, but relapsed in May and was arrested on charges of operating while intoxicated and possession of cocaine. He entered into a treatment program shortly thereafter and graduated in late June, Moreland said. He has since continued meetings with a sponsor and substance abuse counselor.

The series of events left Judge Sylvia Lewis with a difficult decision: sentence Nopolous to up to two years in prison for charges of animal abuse and animal torture and potentially derail his rehabilitation efforts or allow him to continue on his trajectory toward sobriety in the community.

'This is a very troubling case and it has some unusual complexities,” Lewis said, who described that cat's abuse as cruel and sadistic acts 'against a totally helpless creature.”

'I do believe the capacity to find pleasure in torturing a helpless animal is a very troubling character issue that certainly could put others at risk,” Lewis said.

Lewis sentenced Nopolous to up to two years in prison on the animal torture and abuse charges, which she suspended, meaning he will not serve time on those charges provided he complies with his supervised probation. He was, however, immediately sentenced to 30 days in jail on his operating while intoxicated charge.

In arguing for a prison term, Assistant Johnson County attorney noted the cat went through 'incredible suffering.”

'The nature of these offenses far outweighs the problems of substance abuse,” Lahey argued.

However, Jeff Ribble, a Bettendorf-based substance abuse counselor who has treated Nopoulos, said Nopolous has been dedicated to his sobriety efforts and has a good support system in his family, sponsor and other supports. He said a lengthy incarceration term could be detrimental to his rehab efforts.

Moreland, however, said a short jail term would be beneficial to his client.

'Leo needs to see what his life is going to look like if he doesn't get his life under control,” he said.

In addressing the judge before he was sentenced, Nopoulos said he was in an 'altered state of mind” he never wants to experience again.

'I am completely besides with myself with remorse and sorrow,” he said. 'I'm not a violent person at all. Our family is extreme animal lovers, particularly cats … To be honest, they are my favorite animal.”

Nopoulos was immediately taken into custody following the hearing. His attorney declined further comment.