BELLEVILLE — A 23-year-old Belleville man has been charged with aggravated cruelty to an animal for allegedly killing a cat with a B.B. gun.

Johnaver T. Robinson allegedly shot the animal on Dec. 18, according to a warrant filed by Belleville Detective Mark Kroenig. Robinson is currently being held in the St. Clair County Jail.

According to a criminal complaint, filed by St. Clair County State's Attorney Brendan Kelly, Robinson "intentionally committed an act that caused a companion animal, a cat, to suffer death, in that he shot the cat with a BB gun."

Conviction on the charge is a class four felony, punishable by one to three years in state prison and a $25,000 fine.

Capt. Don Sax of the Belleville Police Department said the investigative report did not specify how the cat could have been killed by a weapon where the projectile is powered by air and the gun itself is not considered a firearm.

"It may have been a kitten," Sax said.

Robinson's bail was set at $25,000, which means $2,500 in cash must be posted for his release.

St. Clair County circuit clerk records show that Robinson also faces court appearances on two misdemeanor charges: resisting a police officer or correctional employees and domestic battery.