Jason Meduna, the former Nebraska training ranch operator convicted on multiple felony animal cruelty counts involving the maltreatment of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) mustangs, will appear in Morrill County District Court on Feb. 23 for sentencing.

Meduna was charged with 149 counts of class 4 felony animal abandonment and cruel animal neglect resulting in injury or death last April after Morrill County law enforcement authorities and personnel from equine welfare agencies removed more than 200 allegedly malnourished mustangs from his 3-Strikes Ranch in Alliance.

Shortly after the seizure, the BLM cited Meduna's wife, Anissa, for treating an adopted wild horse inhumanely. She paid a $325 fine, said BLM spokesperson Cindy Wertz.

Habitat for Horses, a rescue based in Texas, and the Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue in California received custody of seized animals. All the animals received veterinary and other rehabilitative care. They are all currently residing in adoptive homes