WACO, Texas (KWTX) - A former Baylor University student pleaded guilty Wednesday to killing two cats with a pellet gun and recording himself throwing them over a utility line in a May 2025 incident that shocked the community and enraged animal rights activists.

James Cameron Barnes, 23, a May 2025 Baylor graduate, pleaded guilty to two counts of cruelty to non-livestock animals, third-degree felonies punishably by up to 10 years in prison.

His guilty plea came with no punishment recommendation from the McLennan County District Attorney's Office and is known as an open plea to the court.