Clayton
By: Richard L. Smith
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger and Assistant Attorney General Todd S. Kim of the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice have introduced fees in opposition to two South Jersey males for his or her involvement in a dog-fighting ring.
This legal exercise was a part of the “DMV Board,” a Telegram-based collective spanning a number of states, devoted to canine preventing.
The accused, Tommy J. Watson, 43, from Clayton, New Jersey, referred to as “Snakes,” and Johnnie Lee Nelson, 34, from Bridgeton, New Jersey, referred to as “Johnny,” are charged with conspiring to violate the Animal Welfare Act.
Federal officers say between August 2017 and March 2019, they have been concerned in preventing, coaching, transporting, and possessing pit bull-type dogs for dog-fighting ventures.
Watson operated “From Da Bottom Kennels,” the place he and others posted bloodline data of preventing dogs and used “DMV Board” to share movies of canine fights, coaching classes, and even the killing of underperforming dogs, together with by hanging. Watson is particularly charged with partaking two pit bull-type dogs in a battle on December 2, 2018, and transporting one other canine, Rambo, with veterinary gear for a deliberate battle on March 23, 2019, which regulation enforcement officers efficiently prevented.
Both Watson and Nelson face fees for possessing and coaching Rambo for the March 23 battle.
Additionally, Watson is charged with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. Watson surrendered and appeared earlier than U.S. Magistrate Judge Sharon A. King in Camden federal court docket, whereas Nelson was arrested on December 5, 2023, and has additionally appeared earlier than Judge King.
Each depend of violating the Animal Welfare Act and the conspiracy depend carry a most penalty of 5 years in jail and a superb of $250,000.
The ammunition possession depend might end in as much as 10 years in jail and a most superb of $250,000.
This case highlights the continued efforts to fight animal cruelty and convey perpetrators to justice.
