A resident from Independence, Louisiana, has been sentenced to a 12-month and one-day prison term, followed by three years of supervised release. This release includes a unique stipulation that mandates 30 hours of community service. The sentencing was passed down by U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo of the Eastern District of Louisiana due to the defendant's participation in an animal fighting venture.
The defendant's involvement in this dogfighting operation came to light during an OCDETF probe into narcotics trafficking in Louisiana. This investigation, which employed authorized wiretaps, revealed that during the summer of 2017, the defendant organized at least two dogfighting events at his residence in Independence. According to the DOJ, these events were attended by both alleged drug dealers and fellow participants in the dogfighting circuit, all of whom engaged in gambling based on the outcome of these illegal fights.
DOJ reports that a subsequent search of the defendant's property in October 2017 led to the discovery of evidence indicative of dogfighting. This included seven pitbulls kept in harsh conditions, a dogfighting pit littered with drink containers, tools designed to pry apart the jaws of fighting dogs, and a variety of veterinary equipment. The dogs discovered on the premises were subsequently relocated to a North Carolina facility where they received medical attention and began the rehabilitation process.
It's noteworthy that, thus far, six other individuals have faced convictions due to their associations with this interstate dogfighting ring. Five among them have already received their sentences.
