GREENVILLE, N.C. — Investigators have identified and charged a Chicago teenager for the animal abuse that went viral online this week.

The Sun Times Network identified Leon Teague, 18, of Illinois as the man seen pouring boiling water on a cat.

Records show that Teague has been charged with felony animal torture and misdemeanor depicting animal cruelty. Teague is expected in a Chicago courtroom Friday.

Animal activists report the cat has been found alive but Animal Control officers in Chicago were unable to catch the animal.

Greenville Police reports thousands of calls alerting Eastern North Carolina agencies about the video after a local man posted the video to his Facebook page.

The Greenville Police Department and Martin County Sheriff’s Office investigators questioned the man in connection to the video Thursday in response to the public outcry.