HAHNVILLE — A St. Charles Parish man was sentenced to five years in jail for animal cruelty, St. Charles Parish District Attorney Joel Chaisson II said.

Rashard C. Poche, 37, of Killona pleaded guilty Thursday and was sentenced by Judge M. Lauren Lemmon to five years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections, consecutive to a year of parole revocation, a release from Chaisson said.

“This conviction sends a strong message that perpetrators of crimes such as this will be vigorously prosecuted by my office,” Chaisson said. “I want to commend the excellent work of my prosecutor and the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office in securing this conviction.”

Poche was arrested Feb. 20 and indicted by a St. Charles Parish Grand Jury with a count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals.

As part of his sentencing, Poche must undergo a psychological evaluation and is prohibited from owning, keeping or possessing animals for five years after his release.

Poche was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Rochelle Champagne Fahrig, Chaisson said.