A total of 13 people have been sentenced for their involvement in a “large-scale” dog-fighting operation in Indianapolis, as well as armed drug trafficking.
Ten additional individuals are awaiting sentencing in this case, according to a news release from the United States Department of Justice.
In September 2023, the DOJ reported that agents discovered a “large-scale” dog-fighting and illicit gambling activity in Indianapolis.
All 13 convicted individuals kept dogs for the purpose of fighting or working as handlers.
The DOJ stated that Maurice Ervin served as a referee for the dog fights, weighing dogs and holding gambling proceeds; Christopher Norfolk was responsible for the fight locations; Willie Lee trained and bred fighting dogs; and Edward Bronaugh transported dogs used in fights through his company, Roll & Hold Pet Express LLC.
Bronaugh transported over 100 canines, many of which he used for dogfighting.
According to the Department of Justice, over 100 dogs have been saved as a result of this case.
Here’s everyone who was involved and what they were sentenced with:
- Charles Richardson III, 46 – Charged with conspiracy to engage in a dog fighting venture; exhibit animal in animal fighting venture; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Sentenced to 3 years and 10 months in prison, with three years of supervised release.
- Christopher Norfolk, 51 – Charged with conspiracy to engage in a dog fighting venture. Time served, with three years of supervised release.
- Brent Hutchinson, 45 – Charged with conspiracy to engage in a dog fighting venture, two counts of exhibit animal in animal fighting venture and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Sentenced to 5 years and six months in prison, with four years of supervised release.
- Daymond Mason, 51 – Charged with conspiracy to engage in a dog fighting venture and exhibit animal in animal fighting venture. Sentenced to two years and 10 months in prison, with two years of supervised release.
- Donovan Tipler, 33 – Charged with conspiracy to engage in a dog fighting venture and exhibit animal in animal fighting venture, Sentenced to eight months in prison, with two years of supervised release.
- Edward Bronaugh, 60 – Charged with conspiracy to engage in a dog fighting venture and exhibit animal in animal fighting venture. Sentenced to three years and six months in prison, with two years of supervised release.
- James Croons, 37 – Charged with conspiracy to engage in a dog fighting venture and two counts of exhibit animal in animal fighting venture. Sentenced to eight months in prison, with two years of supervised release.
- Marven Carswell, 73 – Charged with conspiracy to engage in a dog fighting venture and two counts of exhibit animal in animal fighting venture. Time served, with two years of supervised release.
- Marvin Johnson Jr., 49 – Charged with conspiracy to engage in a dog fighting venture. Sentenced to eight months in prison, with two years of supervised release.
- Maurice Ervin, 46 – Charged with conspiracy to engage in a dog fighting venture and four counts of exhibit animal in animal fighting venture. Sentenced to two years in prison, with three years of supervised release.
- Robert Hamer III, 43 – Charged with conspiracy to engage in a dog fighting venture, three counts of exhibit Animal in animal fighting venture and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Sentenced to five years and five months in prison, with two years of supervised release.
- Ryan Hicks, 39 – Charged with conspiracy to engage in a dog fighting venture, seven counts of exhibit animal in animal fighting venture and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Sentenced to five years in prison, with three years of supervised release.
- Willie Lee, 59 – Charged with conspiracy to engage in a dog fighting venture. Sentenced to one year and nine months in prison, with two years of supervised release.
In total, here’s everything that police recovered when they searched their homes:
- Assorted dog collars, chains, tie‑downs and weights
- Multiple flirt poles/flirt sticks
- Bite sticks and a dog bite sleeve
- Training equipment, including training ropes, balls, vests, pull sleds and Dog Pacer treadmills
- Weigh scale
- Assorted canine medical supplies, including syringes, sprays, wound‑care creams, penicillin injectables, supplements and a horse joint supplement
- Trophies and ribbons
- Century Arms Centurion 39 Sporter rifle
- Taurus semi-automatic
- Springfield Armory XDS-40 semi-automatic
- American Tactical Imports Mil-Sport rifle
- Ruger 57 semi-automatic firearm
- Glock l9 GEN5 9mm pistol
- Glock l7 CEN5 9mm pistol
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