Tucson couple pleads guilty in dogfighting case

Tucson,AZ -- A Tucson couple arrested last year on dogfighting related charges pleaded guilty Wednesday just as their bench trial was scheduled to begin.

Juan Verdin pleaded guilty to attempted dog fighting as part of a deal that guarantees he will receive a probationary sentence of no more than three years. If Verdin successfully completes probation, the charge will be designated a misdemeanor. If he violates probation, he could receive up to two years in prison.

Verdin admitted he owned 14 pit bulls he intended to use a fighting exhibitions.

Zenaida Verdin pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge of cruel to animals and will also receive a term of probation that won’t exceed three years. If she violates her probation, she could be sentenced to up to six months in jail.

She acknowledged that she knew a malnourished dog needed medical attention, but she failed to seek it.

Because they pleaded guilty, prosecutors agreed to stop civil forfeiture proceedings against the pair so they are no longer in danger of losing their home. The pair will not be allowed to own animals for at least 18 months. After that time period is over, they will have to seek the judge’s permission to own animals.

According to Star archives, the Verdins were arrested at a property on West Indian Kitchen Road, west of Sahuarita, in February.
According to authorities, deputies began investigating a possible dogfighting ring in March 2007.

Officers in Chicago contacted the Pima County Sheriff's Department after they stopped a van carrying several fighting dogs and developed information leading to Tucson.

Pima County sheriff's deputies seized at least 150 dogs during raids on Feb. 19, along with $10,000 in cash and more than 60 firearms varying from revolvers to assault-type guns, officials said.

The Verdins were indicted along with Mahlon Thatcher Patrick, 63, and Emily Elizabeth Dennis, 63.

The Verdins had been facing two counts of dogfighting, 10 counts of animal cruelty and 16 counts of failure to obtain license.

Patrick and Dennis, who are scheduled to go to trial next month, are each charged with two counts of dogfighting and 21 counts of animal cruelty.
Last week Juan Verdin pleaded guilty to child abuse in another matter.

He was indicted on 11 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in May after detectives investigating him for the dogfighting found several images of prepubescent children engaged in sexual acts on his computer.

Last week, Verdin told Pima County Superior Court Judge John Leonardo the images were downloaded by an underage son. He pleaded guilty to child abuse, acknowledging that he failed to supervise that son.

As a result of that guilty plea, Verdin could be placed on probation or receive up to two years in prison.

The Verdins are scheduled to be sentenced next month.
Contact reporter Kim Smith at 573-4241 or kimsmith@azstarnet.com

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/263707.php

 

WTF... Are you kidding me? This is recent like today?

 

Raided 2 I'm very ashamed that I trusted you in all This... I trusted you to be telling the truth and now you take a plea bargain :rolleyes:

I have no words for what I feel right now :mad:

 

That makes two of us. We all rallied behind these ppl to lend support. Pleading guilty to fight dogs when he said no way!!! I am just shocked at the whole story.

 

Nevermind....

 

I have refrained from posting this but I will now...sorry its been taken down

 

Downloaded by a son, yea right. I feel the same way you do Marty. A sad day for the APBT and all of the responsible owners of the breed.

 

We all had your back becuase we wanted to believe what you were saying was the truth. To take a plea bargain for everything you denied to us. Its a slap in the face to me and the ones who backed you.

 

Maybe he felt he had no choice with small kids and about to loose their home, I don't know, but he sure was adamant about the charges and that they were false. Maybe he felt he had to choose.
That being said, there sure was a lot of preaching on here about sticking together and all. Oh well. Just goes to show, You Never Know.

 

Same this is what are breed dosent need

 

im a bit surprised, but not very much.

 

They can borrow a spine from this next time.

Ferk out

 

To hell with Verdin! I just made an idiot of myself on another board by going on about how Verdin was goign to whip HSUS. I bet I wrote that after he had already plead guilty.

I dont have any porblem with a man pleading out to save his home, protect his families interests and all that. But I do have a porblem with a bunch of talk and bravado about fighting it all the way when the guy turns around and stands the line at the first scratch

Make me think the child porn stuff is true too

Anyone know what this does to Pat adn Emilys case? Is Verdin going to have to testify against them as part fo the deal?

 

they will all quit on u, some a lot sooner than others..
maybe it was too much for him he was too exhausted of fighting and quit.

 

maybe he wouldnt ahve been exhausted if he hadnt used all his wind barking and barking and putting on a big show about how he was going to fight the cops and HSUS all the way

Turned in 1 minute and stood the line

 

I hate to be the one to state the obvious, but perhaps he was guilty on both counts? People do break the law from time to time.

He sure got a sweet deal considering how serious the charges were. Most juries would give the death penalty to someone guilty of both child porn and dogfighting.

 

I think we're missing a few things here. When LE has got you in a corner, sometimes they will want to save the hassle of a jury trial & offer you a plea. Or if there is overwhelming evidence on you, your lawyer will advise you to take a plea to save you from a harsher sentence. Or if LE doesn't have enough evidence for a conviction but they want to get something rather than nothing, they'll offer you a plea & hope you take it.

Yea, R2 may have talked a lot of blow, but we all do from time to time, esp. when we're angry. Taking a plea doesn't mean he is guilty & it doesn't mean he is weak. Talking a plea was probably the best thing to do for him & his family. For example, if LE had you pinned down & they told you "OK we can go to trial & you risk getting X years (like the 102 the man in Alabama got) or you can plea to this & we'll give you probation for 3 years." What would you do?? Innocent or guilty it's a no-brainer, esp. if you have a wife & kids to consider.

As for him being guilty, I don't know if he is or not. But if they had sho-nuff hard evidence a plea would have likely not been offered/accepted. If they had enough for conviction, they would have gone for the kill & a plea would have never even been put on the table &/or accepted if it was .

As for the child porn thing, I think he should go straight to jail for that, assuming it was true.

JMHO ...

 

Like Marty and others here have already stated, I am disgusted, nauseated, and ashamed all at the same time. It feels like vomiting while defecating diarrhea at the same time. I cannot explain how I am feeling right now.

I stuck my neck out for a now self-admitted sex pervert and dog fighter.......I am ashamed of myself for believing and advising someone who screamed injustice but turns and admits to everything but having sex with animal. If they pleaded out of fear, our breed does not need people who talk but do not walk.

Now what? from what they got I can certainly assume raided2 WILL testify against the other defendants....Pat and Melanie....WATCH OUT. Hmmmm, thinking a little deeper, i think many more people will need to watch out.

Anyone who has dealt with these two will need to assume THEY will lie about them. They have become puppets of the enemy who indiscriminately seeks to destroy our breed.

PEOPLE....RAIDED2 IS NOW A SNITCH.....I am sure the light sentence is their reward for what they are about to do to innocent families and individuals.

I am embarrassed to have believed you Juan. I predict you will still loose your property (or have to sell it) within 12 months. Then, where will you be without property or self-respect?

I hope you enjoy your freedom......for however long it lasts. MARK MY WORD.

 

I noticed he hasn't been on the forum in a while. Probably to busy taking names......

 

What ever happened in the Bailey case? I would have to assume that was the van in Chicago they were referring to. I haven't heard anything since last year.

As for this case, it's disturbing to say the least. Right after FB was vindicated he turned tail and ran. It's a shame but I can understand the fear of family losing everything.

The child porn plea was not admitting that he did it. He admitted to not supervising his son online - which was the abuse. If I read it wrong please correct me. But it would be scary to be convicted of abuse for your child's online activities.