Officials informed Channel 2 Action News the 12th individual associated with a dog-fighting, drug ring that spread out throughout 3 states from May 2019 up until Feb. 2020 has actually been sentenced.
Shelley Johnson aka Gold Mouth, 40, of Macon, Georgia, was sentenced to serve the optimal sentence of 37 months in jail to be followed by 3 years of monitored release and a $25,000 fine after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to take part in an animal battling endeavor. As a condition of his monitored release, Johnson is forbidden from owning or having dogs.
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According to law authorities, the 12 offenders became part of a criminal organization including both drug circulation and dog-fighting based in Roberta, Georgia. The criminal organization extended into North Georgia, Florida and Alabama from May 2019 up until Feb. 2020.
In Feb. 2020 authorities carried out 15 search warrants where they took more than 150 dogs.
During this time, authorities said Johnson interacted with co-conspirator Jarvis Lockett about battling and breeding dogs, dogs whipped and killed as an outcome of combating. Johnson likewise talked about honing a dog’s teeth for battling functions, prize money for battles, and numerous subjects detailing the business and the cruelty of dog-battling.
“Johnson participated in a brutal criminal enterprise that profited from the suffering of animals,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD).”Dog-fighting is a criminal activity, and likewise carefully related to other major criminal activities. The sentences in this prosecution reveal those who participate in this harsh and inhumane practice face considerable jail time.”
Officials informed Channel 2 Action News Johnson went to a dog battle and got involved as a handler inside the ring throughout the dog battle.
During a search warrant at Johnson’s Macon residence on Feb. 26, 2020, authorities recuperated 13 pit bull terrier-type dogs with scarring constant with dog-fighting. Agents likewise discovered proof of dog battling activities consisting of a digital scale, weighted collars, heavy chains, ground stakes, and a range of medical materials to treat animals for injuries sustained from dog battling activities.
“This investigation and prosecution should send a strong zero-tolerance message to those individuals involved in the inhumane torture of animals for entertainment,” said Jason Williams, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General. “We appreciate the collaboration with our law enforcement partners in pursuing these purveyors of death and senseless suffering.”
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The following co-conspirators have actually been founded guilty and sentenced in this case:
Lekey Davis aka Kee Boo, 46, of Talbotton, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 210 months of jail time after pleading guilty to conspiracy to have with intent to disperse drug and drug base;
Christopher Raines aka Binky, 51, of Talbotton, was sentenced to serve 135 months of jail time to be followed by 5 years of monitored release and pay a $10,000 fine after pleading guilty to conspiracy to take part in an animal battling endeavor and conspiracy to have with intent to disperse drug and drug base;
Jarvis Lockett aka J-Rock, 41, of Warner Robins, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 120 months of jail time to be followed by 3 years of monitored release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to take part in an animal battling endeavor and drug circulation;
Derrick Owens aka Doomie, 38, of Woodland, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 120 months of jail time after pleading guilty to conspiracy to take part in an animal battling endeavor and conspiracy to have with intent to disperse drug;
Jason Carter, 39, of Phoenix City, Alabama, was sentenced to serve 97 months of jail time after pleading guilty to conspiracy to have with intent to disperse drug;
Vernon Vegas, 50, of Suwanee, Georgia, was sentenced to serve the optimum 60 months in jail to be followed by 3 years of monitored release and pay a $10,000 fine after pleading guilty to conspiracy to take part in an animal battling endeavor;
Shaquille Bentley, 27, of Roberta, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 48 months of jail time after pleading guilty to utilize of an interaction center;
Rodrick Walton aka Rodrie Walton, 42, of Shiloh, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 24 months of jail time after pleading guilty to conspiracy to take part in an animal battling endeavor;
Reginald Crimes, 39, of Preston, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 24 months of jail time to be followed by 3 years of monitored release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to take part in an animal battling endeavor;
Lee Benney, 55, of Reynolds, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 21 months of jail time to be followed by 3 years of monitored release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to take part in an animal battling endeavor; and,
Bryanna Holmes, 25, of Fort Valley, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 36 months of probation after pleading guilty to utilize of an interaction center.
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