Columbus, GA: Superior Court: Of six men charged in July 17 dog fighting incident

Superior Court: Of six men charged in July 17 dog fighting incident, one man's case still pending

By ALAN RIQUELMY —

Posted: 11:17pm on May 31, 2012; Modified: 11:25pm on May 31, 2012

Only one out of six men accused last summer of dog fighting or watching a dog fight at a Columbus home hasn't resolved his criminal case, Superior Court records state.

The case against Marcus Thomas, 26, is still pending. Thomas faces a misdemeanor count of dogfighting in connection with a July 17 incident at a Garden Drive home, authorities said.

The other five men accused in the case have either pleaded guilty or were convicted at trial, records state.

According to authorities, 24-year-old Roger Thomas was the first to go to trial. Jurors found him guilty of a misdemeanor dogfighting charge in March. Superior Court Judge Bobby Peters declined to sentence him at the time, instead postponing the sentence until all six cases are resolved.

Douglas Armour Jr., 21, pleaded guilty to the same misdemeanor two days after Roger Thomas' conviction. He was sentenced to a year in jail, followed by four years' probation, records state.

Armour's father, 44-year-old Douglas Armour Sr., pleaded guilty in April to giving a false name and a felony count of dogfighting. He was sentenced to a year in prison, followed by four years' probation, court officials said.

Courtney Dixon, 22, was the next to plead guilty to a misdemeanor count of dog fighting. He was sentenced to six months in jail, followed by six months' probation. Dixon must also perform 200 hours of community service and is forbidden from owning a domesticated animal, records state.

Joseph Best, 21, was the most recent of the men to plead guilty. Best admitted to a felony count of dogfighting on Tuesday. Like Roger Thomas, his sentencing is postponed until all cases are resolved, officials said.

Two of the men faced felony charges because authorities accused them of having the dogs fight. The misdemeanor counts are for watching the fight.

Senior Assistant District Attorney LaRae Moore said officers responded July 17 to a Garden Drive home after getting a number of complaints.

The officers approached several residences in the area and heard what they thought were dogs growling and people encouraging the animals. Police then walked to the back of the home and saw a group of men standing around two dogs fighting.

An officer then pulled his gun and ordered everyone to the ground, police said.



Superior Court: Of six men charged in July 17 dog fighting incident, one mans case still pending | Crime | Columbus Ledger Enquirer :dogkiss: