DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. (Decaturish) - Aspen Easterling, known to her fans as up-and-coming rapper Aspen Kartier, on Oct. 21 pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of cruelty to animals.

Easterling, a 19-year-old, was livestreaming from her apartment in Brookhaven, Georgia, on Jan. 29 when she repeatedly struck a three-month-old puppy named Louie and later lifted the puppy up by the skin of its back.

DeKalb County Judge Alvin Wong presided over the case with prosecutor Samantha Wicker representing the state of Georgia.

The video recording of the incident played on the courtroom projector. Easterling became angry after Louie peed on the floor off-screen. The dog is heard whimpering and yelping throughout the three-minute clip as Easterling yells to viewers about the dog's behavior after the attack.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Teen rapper arrested on animal cruelty charges

 Frankly, I believe the video truly speaks for itself,  Wicker said.  I mean, she admits to hitting the dog. She says that the dog acts like it can't breathe when she does hit it. 

The Brookhaven Police Department received a Compassionate Police Department Award from PETA to honor the first responders who rescued the dog.

Easterling stood alongside her attorney Pat Dixon as they discussed a plea deal for the misdemeanor. Initially charged with two counts of animal cruelty, one count was dropped due to the guilty plea.

Easterling's boyfriend Cristian Denis, also known as Lil Crix, owns Louie and was also in the home during the incident. Denis said he would relinquish custody of the dog to DeKalb's Lifeline Animal Project . Easterling will pay $3,348 to Lifeline for care and custody. According to examinations, Louie appeared in good health following Easterling's initial arrest.

Dixon stated that Easterling was raised in  undesirable conditions  in Chicago and started rapping as a way out. After her manager in Los Angeles discovered her, he arranged for her to leave the poor living situation and move to Brookhaven.

After the incident, Easterling moved to Gwinnett County because her former address was released online.

In 2025, 
#atlantanewsfirst   #crimewatchatlanta