T-L Photo/ROBERT A. DEFRANK A woman associated with Joseph Lee is told by a sheriff’s deputy to leave the courthouse area Monday. She had been confronting members of the humane group Belmont County Hoof and Paw following Lee’s sentencing for animal cruelty. The woman disputed the case and was eventually arrested after heated words and an altercation with the deputy.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — More information has been released about an arrest outside the Belmont County Courthouse following the sentencing of Joseph Lee of New Jersey for fifth-degree felony animal abuse.

A woman associated with Lee confronted members of the Belmont County Hoof and Paw humane organization and disputed Lee’s case. She did not leave when told to go by security and the situation grew more heated.

Alyssa McEachern, 19, of Grafton, West Virginia, was arrested and charged with persistent disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and aggravated menacing. Officials said there may be additional charges from the Belmont County Prosecutor’s Office. According to court records, a hearing date has not yet been set for her.

At the scene, McEachern denied making death threats to group members and said a deputy had touched her and that she had slapped his hand away.

Lee was sentenced to serve six months in jail, then six months of counseling at the Eastern Ohio Correction Center for his struggles with alcohol and post-traumatic stress disorder from his past time in the military.

The dog Lee abused, a 1-year-old Husky, was reportedly mistreated as a puppy for a prolonged period of time, resulting in long-term injuries. The dog likely will never make a full recovery and will remain with Belmont County Hoof and Paw.