An 18-year-old man pleaded no contest today to killing a pet parrot late last year, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced.

At today's court appearance, Edward Cervantes pleaded no contest to one felony count of animal cruelty in case NA108127. Following the plea, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge James D. Otto immediately sentenced the defendant to five years of formal probation.

Additionally, Cervantes was ordered to attend 48 animal cruelty classes and complete 30 days of Caltrans service. Moreover, the defendant was ordered to stay away from the victims for five years and pay restitution in the amount of $3,272.

Finally, as a condition of his probation, Cervantes must either obtain a full-time job, be enrolled in school full-time or have part-time work while going to school.

Deputy District Attorney Dan Novey, who prosecuted the case, said at the time of the crime Cervantes had been staying at a home in the 1300 block of East Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach.

On the evening of Dec. 26, 2017, Cervantes had a heated exchange with his hosts, the prosecutor said.

The defendant then assaulted and killed the hosts' yellow-headed amazon parrot, the prosecutor added.

Soon after the attack, authorities located Cervantes and took him into custody, according to the prosecutor.

The case was investigated by the Long Beach Police Department.

Los Angeles District Attorney / case NA108127 / April 18, 2018