SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Lawyer Brandon B. Brown revealed that Charles Calvin Akins, 52, of Lots Of, Louisiana, has actually been sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 15 months in jail, followed by 2 years of monitored release.
Akins was charged in a federal indictment in February 2022 and pleaded guilty to the charge of belongings of a dog for usage in an animal battling endeavor. This charge is an outcome of an examination by law enforcement representatives with the Federal Bureau of Examination (FBI) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Dynamites (ATF) into unlawful activities of Akins. Akins is a founded guilty felon, having actually been founded guilty of a felony charge of carnal understanding of a juvenile in 1988, along with misdemeanor convictions for exacerbated attack and unapproved usage of a movable in 2016.
On January 19, 2022, representatives with the ATF acquired a federal search warrant for Akins’ home in Lots of, Louisiana. While preparing the execution of the search warrant, representatives observed 15 pit bull type canines in the yard of Akins’ home. The canines were chained in close distance to each other however beyond biting reach and each dog had access to a little wood structure. Throughout the execution of the search warrant, representatives observed the canines, their chains, and their plywood structures. Each structure was surrounded by a circular course or “chain course.” The chain courses seemed used dirt that the canines would pass through around their plywood structures due to the constraints of their chains.
Inside a neighboring shed was a homemade treadmill with a little, dog-sized running belt made from wood slats. These treadmills are frequently utilized by dog fighters to train and condition their canines for battles. Inside another shed, representatives discovered a handgun beside a big tool kit consisting of a big metal spring gadget, metal scale, and animal medications, along with numerous heavy metal chains and metal stakes, a dog-breeding gadget and many carpet pieces. All of these products are frequently utilized by dog fighters to train and reinforce their canines’ bite, weigh video game canines as they train and prepare them for upcoming battles, and for strength conditioning of the video game canines. Pieces of carpet are likewise frequently utilized by animal fighters to line battling pits and offer traction for their video game canines. The canines were taken and offered behavioral and medical evaluations. Numerous of the canines had scars and injuries around the back legs, neck and back, and showed dog-aggressive habits towards other canines.
Akins confessed to owning and having the 15 canines at his home, together with the dog-fighting devices discovered there. He likewise confessed that the canines were had for usage in dog-fighting occasions which would be performed in between a minimum of 2 animals for functions of sport, betting, or home entertainment, which such dog-fighting occasions impacted interstate commerce.
“Dog battling is not just versus the law, however an inhumane method of dealing with animals,” stated U.S. Lawyer Brandon B. Brown. “People who take part in this kind of activity ought to understand that it is unlawful to get involved or bet in dog or dick battles. This workplace will continue to deal with federal and regional police to stop this sort of activity in the Western District of Louisiana.”
The case was examined by the ATF and FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Lawyer Brian C. Flanagan.
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