KOSSUTH COUNTY — A 28-year-old northern Iowa man convicted of animal abuse is serving a sentence at the Cerro Gordo County Jail in Mason City, with more than $3,100 in court costs, fines and surcharges assessed in the case.
James Robert Paul Charron, 28, pleaded guilty to aggravated misdemeanor animal abuse following a case in Kossuth County District Court. Court records date the offense to May 22, 2026.
Guilty plea brings jail sentence
The Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office filed criminal complaints on June 5, and Charron appeared before the court on June 30. He initially pleaded not guilty on July 27, but a guilty plea was filed August 5.
On September 1, Judge Jennifer Ann Bennett Finn imposed a 180-day jail term with 173 days suspended, leaving seven days unsuspended, together with credit for time served, two years of probation and a DNA requirement.
A second aggravated misdemeanor animal abuse count was dismissed by court order September 30.
Court costs and penalties top $3,100
The Iowa court financial ledger lists $2,199.80 in costs, an $855 fine and a $128.25 surcharge, totaling $3,183.05. The ledger shows $2,100 paid and $1,083.05 remaining due. A court-ordered payment plan was entered September 1.
Serving sentence in Mason City jail
The Cerro Gordo County Jail inmate roster dated October 9 lists Charron as booked at 6:07 p.m. with a custody status of “Serving Sentence.” The roster describes an offense as abandonment of cats and dogs under Iowa Code Section 717B.8, while the Kossuth County judgment records his conviction for animal abuse under Section 717B.2(4).
The available records do not explain that difference or detail the circumstances involving the animals. The court records establish the conviction and sentence, but do not specify the number of animals or their conditions.