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A 19-year-old rapper and Twitch streamer known online as Aspen “Kartier” Easterling has been sentenced to jail and probation after being convicted in an animal abuse case involving a puppy.
The sentencing took place in a DeKalb County court following an investigation by the Brookhaven Police Department in Brookhaven, DeKalb County, Georgia 30319, United States. FOX 5 Atlanta reported on the court ruling on October 22, 2026.
A DeKalb County judge sentenced Easterling to a one-year penalty, ordering her to serve 10 days in jail alongside probation, with credit for two days previously served.
The judge denied her request for first-offender status, ensuring the conviction remains on her permanent criminal record. Easterling was taken directly from the courtroom into custody.
The case originated in January 2026 when Brookhaven police received numerous reports regarding a Twitch livestream showing Easterling repeatedly striking a three-month-old Maltipoo puppy and grabbing it by the scruff of its neck.
Officers arrested Easterling at a residence on Town Boulevard and transferred the dog to DeKalb County Animal Control.
As part of her sentence, Easterling surrendered all legal custody rights to the puppy and was ordered to pay $3,048 for veterinary care and shelter costs incurred by LifeLine Animal Project.
She must also complete 24 anger management classes, 100 hours of community service, and an animal abuse prevention program.
Under probation terms and Georgia state law, she is subject to random compliance checks and a mandatory five-year ban on pet ownership.
My thoughts:
- Publicly broadcasting animal mistreatment on social media streaming platforms triggers swift law enforcement and community accountability.
- Enforcing mandatory bans on pet ownership helps protect animals from repeat neglect and abuse.
- Restitution orders requiring offenders to cover shelter and veterinary bills alleviate financial burdens on local animal rescues.
- Mandating anger management and animal abuse prevention classes addresses underlying behavioral causes.
- Denying first-offender status reinforces the seriousness of domestic animal abuse in court proceedings.
- Surrendering custody rights ensures rescued pets can be safely placed into loving, permanent homes.
Source: FOX 5 Atlanta and Brookhaven Police Department
