September 2025

Maxwell pleaded guilty to a total of six counts, including aggravated cruelty to animals, fifth-degree arson, and tampering with physical evidence. He was held at the Albany County Jail ahead of his sentencing. Latisha Ellis, 33, previously accepted a plea deal; no jail time and five months probation. She is also not allowed to own a dog for 50 years.

February 24, 2025

Officers responded to reports of a deceased dog inside a crate in a parking lot. Upon arrival, they found a one-year-old female Pit bull dead. The dog’s owners, Christopher Maxwell and Latisha Ellis (32), had allegedly left the dog in a crate at his residence for several days without food or water. Upon returning, Maxwell allegedly transported the dog, still in the crate, to the parking lot, doused it with lighter fluid, and set it on fire. Latisha Ellis (32) was arrested and charged with one count of aggravated cruelty to animals and one count of torturing or injuring animals. Police say, at the time of Ellis’s arrest, a 3-year-old male dog was found inside her home, locked in a crate with inadequate food and water, and living in unsanitary conditions. She was issued an appearance ticket. Christopher Maxwell was arrested and has been charged with one count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, one count of Arson, and one count of Criminal Mischief.