Multiple Raids: When You Thought The Dust Had Settled...more Raids

Dogfighting raids conducted in three states​

By NEDRA PICKLER – 35 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Authorities have arrested about 30 people and seized about 200 dogs in dogfighting raids Wednesday across three states, the Justice Department said.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which cooperated in the investigation, said the target was believed to be the largest dogfighting operation in U.S. history. The raids by task forces involving federal, state and local law enforcement agencies were conducted across Missouri, southern Illinois and eastern Texas after a nine-month investigation.

Dogfighting is banned throughout the United States and is a felony in 48 states. President George W. Bush signed a law two years ago that increased penalties for activities that promote or encourage animal fighting after a long campaign by animal-welfare groups.

John M. Bales, the U.S. attorney in eastern Texas, said nine people in his state were indicted on June 30 of three counts — conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, sponsoring or exhibiting an animal in an animal fighting venture and buying, selling, delivering or transporting animals for participation in an animal fighting venture. If convicted, the defendants each face up to five years in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000.

Bales said eight people were arrested Wednesday in Texas' Panola and Gregg counties. Nine dogs, mostly pit bull terriers, were seized during a search of property in rural Panola County.

Bales said a veterinarian was onsite to care for the dogs along with representatives of the Humane Society. Bales said he's filed motions to put the dogs in the care of the Humane Society and asked a judge to order those charged in the case to reimburse the organization for the cost.

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Men indicted in alleged dog-fighting ring

<DL class=byline>Associated Press <DD>11:09 AM CDT, July 8, 2009 </DD></DL><!-- sphereit start -->KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A federal grand jury has indicted seven people for allegedly running a pit bull dog-fighting ring in northwest Missouri.

The Kansas City Star reported on its Web site that the indictment was unsealed Wednesday. It alleges that the seven defendants bet thousands of dollars on at least three fights earlier this year at a farm in Harrison County.

Those indicted were Rick P. Hihath, 55, of St. Joseph; Cris E. Bottcher, 48, of Gilman City, Mo.; Jill D. Makstaller, 32, of Perry, Iowa; Julio Reyes, 28, of Tecumseh, Neb.; Zachary R. Connelly, 32, of Ogden, Iowa; Kevin P. Tasler, 51, of Jefferson, Iowa; and Ryan J. Tasler, 32, of Woodward, Iowa.

The indictment alleges the fights took place at Bottcher's farm in Gilman City, about 100 miles northeast of Kansas City.



Prosecutors say some dogs involved in the fights were burned, shot or thrown in a river and others did not receive proper care for their wounds.

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The following is a news release from the U.S. Attorney's office of Eastern Missouri located in St. Louis;

FIVE MEN CHARGED, OVER 150 DOGS SEIZED IN DOG FIGHTING RINGS​

St. Louis, MO: Officers from multiple federal and state law enforcement agencies arrested five Missouri men and seized more than150 Pit Bull Terriers in an early morning raid on several locations involved in dog fighting ventures, Acting United States Attorney Michael W. Reap announced today.

The U.S. Attorney also filed motions seeking to take legal ownership of the dogs and place the animals in the care and custody of the Humane Society of Missouri. Under federal law, the government can take custody of any animals engaged in any animal fighting venture. Additionally, the U.S. Attorney is seeking a court order requiring the defendants to reimburse the Humane Society of Missouri for all costs incurred for care of the animals while the animals are in their custody.

According to the indictment between January 2008 and June 2009, Michael Morgan, Robert Hackman, Teddy Kiriakidis, Ronald Creach and Jack Ruppel were involved in animal fighting ventures and dog fighting competitions. They established and ran various kennel operations to purchase, breed, train, condition, and develop Pit Bull Terriers for participation in the animal fighting ventures, Robert Hackman operated “Shake Rattle and Roll Kennel,” Jack Ruppel operated “Ozark Hillbillys Kennel,” Michael Morgan a/k/a “Missouri Mike” operated “Cannibal Kennel,” and Ronald Creach operated “Hard Goodbye Kennel.”

The indictment alleges that the defendants routinely inhumanely abandoned, destroyed, and otherwise disposed of Pit Bull Terriers that lost fighting competitions, did not perform aggressively enough, or that became injured, wounded, or disabled as a result of participating in an animal fighting ventures.

In addition to the indictment unsealed today in the Eastern District of Missouri, 21 defendants were also charged in separate cases arising from the same investigation in the Western District of Missouri, the Southern District of Illinois and the Eastern District of Texas.


Headed by the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General, this dog fighting investigation is the latest in a series of major animal fighting investigations conducted throughout the country since the passage of the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act, signed into law in May 2007, which makes it a felony to participate in the blood sport.
“As evidenced through this and other recent investigations, animal fighting activities exist throughout the state and the country,” said Special Agent-in-Charge James L. Mendenhall. “The OIG will continue to pursue substantive allegations of animal fighting, and is committed to work in concert with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to that end.”

“We are pleased with the success of this lengthy and thorough investigation, stated Colonel James F. Keathley, Superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Undercover officers from within the Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control along with the other state and federal agencies should be commended for their dedication and continued hard work in our concerted efforts to stop animal fighting.”

“The Humane Society of Missouri provided initial information that led to this investigation. During the course of the investigation they also cared for animals involved when possible, and they are presently designated to provide continuing care for the seized dogs,” said Acting United States Attorney Michael Reap.

“Forcing a dog to fight to its death is not a sport,” said John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge of the St. Louis office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). “There is nothing respectable about encouraging two animals to torture and dismember each other. Individuals who participate in dog fighting claim to care for the animals, but they don't hesitate to electrocute their helpless dog once it loses a fight and can no longer provide any financial benefit.”

Indicted in the Eastern District of Missouri:

Michael Morgan, a/k/a Missouri Mike, 38, Hannibal, MO, on two felony counts of conspiracy to commit federal offenses and one felony count of prohibitions against animal fighting ventures; Robert Hackman, 55, Foley, MO, two felony counts of conspiracy to commit federal offenses and two felony counts of prohibitions against animal fighting ventures; Teddy Kiriakidis, a/k/a Teddy Bogart, 50, Leasburg, MO, one felony count of conspiracy to commit federal offenses; Ronald Creach, 34, Leslie, MO, one felony count of conspiracy to commit federal offenses; and Jack Ruppel, 35 Eldon, MO, town, two felony counts of conspiracy to commit federal offenses and two felony counts of prohibitions against animal fighting ventures.

If convicted, each count of the indictment carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000.

Reap commended the work on the case by the Missouri State Highway Patrol , the Humane Society of Missouri, the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Drake, Charlie Birmingham and Julie Wright who are handling the cases for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations, and each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

 

Largest Dog Fighting Operation in U.S. History Raided by State & Federal Agencies With Assistance From ASPCA​

ASPCA Dispatches Forensics, Vet Care and Behavior Evaluation Teams to Sites in Missouri, <ST1:pIllinois</ST1:p</HL2>​

NEW YORK</LOCATION>, <CHRON>July 8</CHRON> /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- What is believed to be the largest dog fighting operation in U.S. history was raided early Wednesday in an effort that included federal and state agencies, with the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) assisting.


At the request of the Humane Society of <LOCATION>Missouri</LOCATION>, the ASPCA, along with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, United States Department of Agriculture's Office of the Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, The U.S. Marshals Service and <LOCATION>the United States</LOCATION> Attorney, is collaborating in the rescue, veterinary care, and forensics evidence collection of dogs associated with multiple suspected dog fighting operations. The ASPCA will also be assisting in behavior evaluations of the dogs. <O:p</O:p

The dog fighting operation is believed to have spanned five states and included arrests in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com</st1:State><LOCATION>Missouri</LOCATION>, <st1:State w:st="on"><LOCATION>Illinois</st1:State></LOCATION>, <st1:State w:st="on"><LOCATION>Iowa</st1:State></LOCATION>, <st1:State w:st="on"><LOCATION>Texas</st1:State></LOCATION> and <ST1:p<st1:State w:st="on"><LOCATION>Oklahoma</st1:State></ST1:p</LOCATION>. Dogs are being safely transported to a secure facility under the direction of the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force, where they will be cared for until final disposition is determined by the United States District Court.<O:p</O:p


"The ASPCA is determined to protect its nation's pets from dog fighting and other forms of brutality," said ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres</PERSON>. "Animal cruelty cannot be tolerated, and we are proud to lend our support to federal and local agencies to ensure that these abusers are brought to justice." <O:p</O:p


The ASPCA is collecting evidence for the prosecution of the criminal case, as well as lending the services of its special forensic cruelty investigation team, comprised of disaster animal rescuers, field service investigators, and Dr. Melinda Merck</PERSON>, the nation's premier forensic veterinarian. More than a dozen responders from the ASPCA's Disaster Response team are in the field, along with the ASPCA's "Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit," a critical tool in the collection and processing of evidence at crime scenes. The CSI unit brings both state-of-the-art forensics tools and expertise to crime scenes and is outfitted with medical equipment tailored for animal patients.<O:p</O:p


"The ASPCA's <ST1:pMobile</ST1:p Animal CSI unit is an important component in the effort against animal cruelty," said Laura Maloney</PERSON>, Senior Vice President of Anti-Cruelty Initiatives for the ASPCA. "This technology allows the ASPCA to strengthen cases against animal abusers and seek justice for their victims."<O:p</O:p


About the ASPCA's "Mobile</ST1:p Animal Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit"<O:p</O:p
The ASPCA's "Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit," the nation's first, was unveiled in <CHRON>December 2007</CHRON>. A "forensics first," the "Animal CSI" vehicle was created to significantly advance the prosecution of animal cruelty and help strengthen cases against offenders by incorporating the emerging field of veterinary forensics in crime scene investigations. It also provides a proven chain of custody for law enforcement, thus ensuring the integrity of the evidence, and helps reduce the stress placed on the animals that are the innocent "collateral victims."<O:p</O:p

</STORYCONTENT><?xml-stylesheet type='text/xsl' href='RichStoryContent.xsl'?>​

 

Just a reminder to cross your "T"s and dot your "I"s. I would hate to hear one of our good members in this forum getting caught in their blind and reckless frenzy to take every dog in a chain spot. I know we do not have to be guilty of anything to get into this type of problems....this is more true when the SPCA and Humane Societies are in charge of the case...:rolleyes:

Hug your dogs for me and tell them everything will be ok.:cool:

 

pray they don't recklessly put down those dogs, as is the usual SOP.

 

"The dogs seized in <ST1>Missouri</ST1> and <ST1><ST1>Illinois</ST1></ST1> will be treated and evaluated for their suitability for rescue or adoption by the Humane Society of Missouri at a temporary facility."

The HS of MO is not the HSUS(thankfully) - they attempt to place appropriate dogs. They distributed most if not all of the dogs in the Stoddard County MO bust a year and a half ago, although there were only around 10 of those - nowhere near these numbers. Limited space in rescues will mean many of these probably won't make it, but I believe an attempt will be made.

 

WTF, a bunch of good dogmen are being arrested and youre worried about whether the dogs will be placed? W hat about the good dogmen going ot prison? What about them?

 

For the folk who may have missed it, the gentlemen here were jailed and charged with "conspiracy to commit federal offenses" which means "thinking of doing illegal acts".:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

I guess breaking sticks, mills, chain setups, and first-aid kits suffice nowadays as valid proof of such intentions and acts. This is a dark time for the American Justice System.

 

Associated Press Writer
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

U.S. Attorney's Office
TYLER, TX - U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced today that this morning a combined task force of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies arrested 8 individuals charged with involvement in an interstate dog fighting ring.

On July 8, 2009, agents and officers executed a federal arrest warrant in Panola County, Texas, and Gregg County, Texas. Nine dogs, mostly pit bull terriers, were seized during a search of property in rural Panola County. A licensed veterinarian was on-site to examine and provide any necessary care to the dogs. Also on-site were representatives of the Humane Society of the United States, who have been consulted during the investigation.

Those named in the Indictment, which was unsealed this morning, are KARL S. COURTNEY, aka Shane, 34, of Beckville, Texas; JERRY S. CHISM, aka Scotty, 34, of Longview, Texas; JERRY L. BEENE, age 69, of Hampton, Arkansas; JERRY L. MATLOCK, 57, of Stilwell, Oklahoma; CHASE M. COURTNEY, 26, of Carthage, Texas; DEVIN L. PELZL, 29, of Beckville, Texas; MICHAEL L. BEENE, 36, of Hampton, Arkansas; HAROLD D. STEWART, 41, of Beckville, Texas; and CHAD A. COURTNEY, 30, of Carthage, Texas.

On June 30, 2009, a federal grand jury returned a 3-count Indictment charging the 9 defendants with (1) conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States; (2) sponsoring or exhibiting an animal in an animal fighting venture; and (3) buying, selling, delivering or transporting animals for participation in an animal fighting venture. If convicted, the defendants each face up to 5 years in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Bales noted that today's arrests represent a significant step in addressing what Bales described as completely reprehensible criminal activity. "I commend the agents and officers who have worked very hard on this investigation. In due time, we look forward to presenting all of the evidence that they have collected in federal court. I also appreciate the significant investigative assistance provided by the Humane Society. "
The U.S. Attorney also filed motions seeking to take legal ownership of the dogs and place the animals in the care and custody of the Humane Society. Under federal law, the government can forfeit any animals engaged in any animal fighting venture. Additionally, the U.S. Attorney is seeking a court order requiring the defendants to reimburse the Humane Society for all costs incurred for care of the animals while the animals are in the custody of the Humane Society.

The Indictment resulted from an investigation which began in October 2008, and was launched by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG), the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard L. Moore is prosecuting the case in coordination with U.S. Attorney's Offices in the Eastern District of Oklahoma and Western and Eastern Districts of Missouri.

A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

 

Man WTF...I was havin a good day until now... We need to pray for these guys ...we need to keep our thought to ourself and watch who we deal with... Because whether you match or not they're tryna take us all down

 

More info...

Dog Fighting Conspiracy Charged in Southern District of Illinois​

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill.</LOCATION>, <CHRON>July 8</CHRON> /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --
A. Courtney Cox</PERSON>, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of <LOCATION>Illinois</LOCATION>, announced today that on <CHRON>July 7, 2009</CHRON>, William Berry</PERSON>, 34, of <LOCATION>Lebanon, Ill.</LOCATION>; Derrick Courtland</PERSON>, 42, of <LOCATION>Cahokia, Ill.</LOCATION>; and John Bacon</PERSON>, 36, Julius Jackson</PERSON>, 40, Joseph Addison</PERSON>, 40, all of <LOCATION>East St. Louis, Ill.</LOCATION>, were charged in a criminal complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit unlawful activities of dog fighting.


The violation is alleged to have taken place between <CHRON>Nov. 18, 2008</CHRON>, and <CHRON>April 18, 2009</CHRON>, in <LOCATION>St. Clair</LOCATION> and <LOCATION>Madison</LOCATION> Counties of <LOCATION>Illinois</LOCATION>. The offense charged carries a potential maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine up to <MONEY>$250,000</MONEY>.

The defendants were taken into custody and made an appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in <LOCATION>East St. Louis</LOCATION> on <CHRON>July 8, 2009</CHRON>. Preliminary hearings have been scheduled for <CHRON>Aug. 5, 2009</CHRON>, in U.S. District Court in <LOCATION>East St. Louis</LOCATION>.

A criminal complaint is only a statement of a charge brought by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Every defendant has a right to be charged by an indictment returned by a grand jury. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent of all charges unless and until he is found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

In addition to the charges unsealed today in the Southern District of <LOCATION>Illinois</LOCATION>, related charges were also filed in separate cases arising from the same investigation in the Eastern District of <LOCATION>Missouri</LOCATION>, the Western District of <LOCATION>Missouri</LOCATION> and the Eastern District of <LOCATION>Texas</LOCATION>. Those indictments were also unsealed today following the arrests of defendants in those districts.

Evidence supporting this criminal complaint was gathered in an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Office of Inspector General, the FBI, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Humane Society of <LOCATION>Missouri</LOCATION>. This dog fighting investigation is the latest in a series of major animal fighting investigations conducted throughout the country since the passage of the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act, signed into law in <CHRON>May 2007</CHRON>, which makes it a felony to participate in the blood sport. The case is assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Hudson</PERSON> and
Mike Thompson</PERSON> for prosecution.

SOURCE U.S. Department of Justice

 

Nebraska Man Endicted in Federal Dogfighting Investigation​

OMAHA, Neb. -- A Nebraska man was one of several charged in a federal court for allegedly promoting and participating in dogfighting.


Julio Reyes, 28, of Tecumseh, was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury in Missouri, said U.S. Attorney Matt Whitworth. He faces a charge of transporting animals for animal fighting. The multi-state investigation included Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska.


According to the indictment, the defendants bred and trained dogs, mostly pit bulls, to be used in fights that took place from January to May. In early-morning raids, officers seized 350 dogs in several locations.

The defendants routinely destroyed dogs that had become severely injured by shooting them in the head, Whitworth said. The dogs' bodies were then dumped in a river or burned in a barrel.


Investigators said numerous dog fights took place at the farm of one of the defendants, Cris E. Bottcher, a registered nurse in of Bethany, Mo.


After one of the fights on Bottcher's farm, Whitworth said, Bottcher used a .22 caliber rifle to shoot and kill two dogs who fought below the handlers' expectations. Bottcher allegedly shot each animal twice in the head, and then placed the bodies in plastic containers outside the garage. ​

 

We all need to click up and fight these muthafuckas.. Thanks rocky for wakin most of us up with this this thread.. When we get complacent we get in trouble...

 

ya i seen that shit ...wtf is conspiracy to commit feeral offenses... this is indeed a sad day for america. people have been talking very recklessly on feds online...im sure that may be a big cause for many of these raids... im no lawyer but as long as they get a good lawyer in my opinion there is now phucking way they will be able to make those bs charges stick.

 

now you have less troubles if you build an atomic bomb in u.s.a then you breed american pit bull terriers. only in u.s.a " pet lovers" association seized hundreds of dow and kill them like pieces of shits ( F.Bodreaux case ). i have no words for these people.

 

BST was busted aswell. not good

 

Well i hate to say it but the charges will most likely stick.The feds have a 98% conviction rate,i know this because a friend just got 10 yrs for something he didn't do.And conspiracy is very easy to convict on because its your word against theres.The fedral cases are much different then state.When i was a kid a 150 people in my town went to prision on fedral conspiracy to cultavate marijuana.None were caught red handed.All were convicted by snitches.Some got 1-3yrs about 20 of them got 8-10 and the one who was the supposed ring leader got a life sentence,after 15yrs he got lucky and pres clinton pardened him.Conspiracy should not be take'n lightly

 

They're conviction rate is so high because a federal defense lawyer is 3 times as high as a regular lawyer.. If you can't afford a paid fed lawyer you have to go wit the public pretender and we all know they'll give you to the state.. Don't forget prison is a business..

 

aint that the truth clk

 

Wow, looks like they really had this one planned out, we'll probably see a few more in the next few days. Pit vs. Pit fighting is a very wierd thing for me, I condemn it yet I don't. I could never do it though.

 

This is some scary shit, close to home....makes you wonder if shit will happen at the Iowa show in a couple weeks