WACO (July 8, 2009)--Waco FBI Agent Lovett Leslie Ledger, Jr., who pleaded no contest last April to animal cruelty charges, was sentenced Wednesday morning to two years deferred ajudication probation and ordered to perform 300 hours of community service.

Ledger, who was charged in the shooting death of a 3- to-4 pound Chihuahua in February 2008, appeared before Judge Matt Johnson in 54th District Court.

The offense is a state jail felony, which carries up to a two-year sentence, but prosecutors recommended probation.

Ledger sought deferred adjudication probation, which means if he successfully completes the term of probation, the conviction will be expunged from his record.

FBI spokesman Erik Vasys said Wednesday the agency will determine whether Ledger faces any sanctions, which could range from suspension to dismissal, after an internal inquiry is completed.

Ledger was indicted in July 2008 in the death of the dog.

According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Ledger told a witness that he shot the animal with a pump bb-pellet gun and said he, "must have pumped the gun up too much."

The dog was walking on Estes Road in front of its home when it was shot once.

It ran into the yard of one of Ledger's neighbors, where it died.

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