Five men from middle Georgia have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in a large-scale dog fighting operation. The 96 dogs rescued from the operation were found during searches conducted as part of an investigation into a drug trafficking conspiracy in Laurens, Treutlen, Johnson, and Emanuel Counties, according to Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Two individuals implicated in the dog-fighting operation were also sentenced in connection with the drug-trafficking conspiracy.
U.S. Attorney Steinberg stated, “As this investigation shows, animal fighting operations often occur in conjunction with other illegal activity.” She added that holding these defendants accountable not only protects the welfare of the rescued animals but also removes dangerous drugs from the community.
The five defendants each pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Violate the Animal Welfare Act and were sentenced in U.S. District Court. The convicted individuals include Travis Martin, Sentell Carey, Dennis Wilcher, Terry Gilmore, and Jonathan Linder.
Upon completion of their prison terms, all defendants are prohibited from owning dogs or engaging in any activity involving dogs and must serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
The 2022 investigation by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration led to a 27-county federal indictment charging 11 defendants with participating in an operation distributing methamphetamine and heroin in the greater Laurens County area. This investigation resulted in multiple searches of residences and vehicles and seizure of large amounts of drugs, cash, and firearms.
During this investigation, authorities rescued 96 dogs suspected to be part of a dog fighting operation from three locations in Johnson County and two other locations in Laurens and Washington counties.
Special Agent-in-Charge Miles Davis of the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG) said: “The intentional infliction of pain and suffering on animals for sport is unfathomable. We appreciate the commitment of our law enforcement partners to pursue these individuals who choose to participate in these heinous acts while also committing other severe offenses in our communities.”
The criminal dog fighting prosecution was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and lead Agent Kelsey Tolomeo, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and local law enforcement agencies.
The drug trafficking case was investigated by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with support from several other law enforcement agencies.