BUTTE, Mont. — A bench warrant without bond has been issued for Veronica Lasell, who is facing eight felony animal cruelty charges. Lasell was supposed to appear for her arraignment before Silver Bow District Court Judge Robert Whelan but failed to show up, despite court records indicating she bonded out of jail the day prior. This marks the second arraignment she has missed.
The previous time, a bench warrant was executed on Dec. 24, 2023, but she was released on Jan. 2 after posting a $10,000 surety bond. However, this time she will not be released from custody until after the arraignment or if her attorney and the judge come to an agreement. Lasell is charged with eight felony counts of cruelty to animals, in addition to a misdemeanor count, each for failure to provide food and water.
Prosecutors allege that in Jan. 2022, Lasell left four dogs and numerous cats at a Butte home without food or water, and law enforcement needed to wear protective suits when performing a search warrant due to the filth. The dogs had to be euthanized due to previous attacks on people.
During Wednesday’s hearing, there was much confusion in the courtroom as her attorney, Dan Miller, was in attendance virtually but had called into the court session for a different case. Miller acknowledged that this was the case he was assigned to a year ago and that he has had no contact with Lasell, who is not on pre-trial services. Deputy County Attorney Kaitlyn Lamb expressed concern about Lasell not appearing for the second time.
Veronica Lasell is facing serious charges for animal cruelty and has missed her arraignment for the second time. She will remain in custody until further notice, pending her arraignment.