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ELKO — An Elko man accused of torturing and mutilating a cat with a sword is negotiating a plea deal with prosecutors, according to court documents.

Spring Creek resident Rory White, 21, opted out of a preliminary hearing Thursday with the intent of reaching a deal in district court.

White is suspected of killing an orange cat in 2012 by chopping at its neck repeatedly with a dull sword. Police believe resident Tyler Coleman is an accomplice to the crime. White was arrested March 20 but was out on bail — which was posted at $12,500 — a day later.

Coleman is wanted on a warrant but hasn’t been located.

Investigators alleged White poked out the cat’s eyeballs after he killed it. The police report stated he kept one in a jar in his room.

The defendants face felony charges of torturing an animal, or in the alternative acting as a principal to torturing and killing an animal and conspiracy to torture or kill an animal.