Following a final sentencing hearing in Albany, Georgia, all 14 individuals involved in a large-scale federal dog fighting case have been sentenced. The total prison time amounts to 343 months for charges related to dog fighting and other offenses.
Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker for the Middle District of Georgia stated, “The brutality of dog fighting, combined with armed drug distribution, negatively affects our community.” She emphasized the importance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies in bringing these defendants to justice and rescuing abused animals.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division described dog fighting as “an odious form of organized crime” that attracts other criminal activities. He affirmed that the Justice Department, along with local partners such as the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, will not tolerate such criminal activities.
Special Agent in Charge Miles Davis from the Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General expressed commitment to working with law enforcement and prosecutorial partners against animal fighting activities and animal welfare violations.
The sentences include:
– Donnametric Miller: 100 months
– Fredricus White: 35 months
– Christopher Travis Beaumont: 30 months
– Marvin Pulley: 30 months
– Cornelious Johnson: 27 months
– Terelle Ganzy: 24 months
– Willie Russell: 24 months
– Brandon Baker: 20 months
– Terrance Davis: 20 months
– Tamichael Elijah: 18 months
– Timothy Freeman: time served (15 months)
– Herman Buggs Jr.: time served (two weeks)
– Rodrecus Kimble: one year home confinement
– Gary Hopkins: six months home confinement
Additionally, restitution was imposed for caring for the rescued dogs. Federal law prohibits dog fighting ventures affecting interstate commerce and possession or training of dogs for such purposes.
Court documents reveal that on April 24, 2022, defendants from three states gathered at a property in Donalsonville, Georgia, for a large-scale dog fighting event disrupted by law enforcement following a 911 call. Twenty-seven dogs were rescued that night; one died from severe injuries. Cars were used to store injured dogs awaiting their turn in the pit. Methamphetamine was also seized during the operation.
Cell phone evidence revealed extensive involvement in dog fighting activities including text message chains and videos depicting fights. In total, authorities rescued 78 pit bull-type dogs through this investigation.
The USDA-OIG collaborated with detectives from Seminole County Sheriff’s Office and Bay County Sheriff’s Office on this case. Criminal Chief Leah McEwen assisted Senior Trial Attorney Ethan Eddy and Trial Attorney Leigh Rendé in prosecution efforts while Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Morrill handled civil forfeiture proceedings to prevent returning dogs to defendants. The Seized Canine Program cared for rescued dogs pending legal outcomes.
