"Stay away from them": Animal cruelty defendants receive lifetime ban on owning animals

An animal cruelty case involving over 30 animals came to a resolution for two of the four co-defendants Friday morning. Julia Youngen, 23 Madison Huskey, 19 William Youngen, 53 and Lynn Youngen, 55 were arrested Thursday, Jan. 9, and charged with several counts of cruelty toward animals after Blount County Sheriff’s deputies discovered animals living in poor conditions on their Patterson Road property in Walland.

All four pleaded guilty and surrendered their animals to the Blount County Animal Center. Sentencing for the group was scheduled for Friday at 9 a.m.



in Judge Michael Gallegos’ courtroom. Only Julia Youngen and Madison Huskey appeared in court. Before addressing Julia Youngen and Madison Huskey, Gallegos spoke with both the prosecution and defense about the absent William and Lynn Youngen.

Both sides agreed to postpone sentencing for William and Lynn Youngen to March 21. Huskey was the first to go before Gallegos, and he explained the terms of her plea deal. The terms were to surrender all animals in her possession, that she may not own or possess any animals for the remainder of her life, and to pay a $5,000 restitution to BCAC.

“If you see an animal, my advice to you is walk the other direction,” Gallegos told her. As long as Huskey complies with the terms, her sentence will be suspended, meaning she will not be in custody for the remainder of her sentence. Her sentence also came with a judicial deference, meaning if she follows the terms of her sentence, once completed, charges will be dismissed, and she will have no convictions.

She will be on supervised probation for 11 months and 29 days. If Huskey does not comply with the terms of her agreement, she can be arrested for violation of probation and sentenced to serve up to 75% of 11 months and 29 days in the county jail, which is about nine months, Gallegos told her. She could also be fined $2,500 for each offense.

He encouraged Huskey to abide by the agreement. “It’s in your hands whether you’re going to take advantage of this relief that you’re getting granted,” he said. He asked if Huskey worked or attended school, to which she replied that she didn’t.

“Well, your probation officer is going to be monitoring this. If you don’t have some medical reason to not be working, then you’re going to be working,” he told her. Julia Youngen was up next.

She approached Gallegos wearing pajama pants and a large sweatshirt. He asked her to speak up clearly after she mumbled her full name. Youngun received a similar sentence; she has a lifetime ban on owning or possessing animals, owes $5,000 restitution to BCAC and must be on supervised probation for 11 months and 29 days.

She was not eligible for a judicial deferral, meaning the convictions remain on her record. Gallegos gave Youngen the same advice he gave Huskey regarding animals. He encouraged her to avoid violating her terms by being around animals.

“Stay away from them,” he told her. All four co-defendants must pay a total of $5,000 restitution to BCAC. If, for some reason, the total amount isn’t paid, all four will be accountable.

Huskey and Youngen are scheduled to appear before Gallegos again, Friday, Aug. 1, unless they pay all court costs in full, which includes the restitution to BCAC. After that, their next court date will be March 13, 2026.