Advertisement Baltimore-based dogfighting ring busted Yearlong investigation nets 22 indictments, 139 dogs, guns, drugs Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Officials said a yearlong investigation has led to the indictment of 22 alleged members of a Baltimore-based dogfighting ring.Mobile users tap here for videoThe Office of the State's Attorney for Baltimore City made the announcement Monday following an investigation by the Major Investigations Unit of the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office and the Special Enforcement Section of the Baltimore Police Department."The behavior of these individuals is despicable," Baltimore City police Col. Sean Miller said.The indictment alleges a sprawling conspiracy that dates back to April 2013, when several alleged members of the Baltimore ring were linked to a dogfighting bust in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina.The charging documents allege that from the summer of 2013 through the time of indictment, some 139 dogs, mostly pit bulls and including 28 puppies, were recovered from individuals implicated in the indictment, along with a dozen firearms, numerous treadmills, breaking sticks, heavy chains, conditioning harnesses, steroids, topical and injectable medications meant to be administered by licensed professionals, bloodstained dogfighting rings, surgical equipment, and breeding stands -- referred by dogfighters, according to the indictments, as "rape stands" -- which were used to facilitate the breeding, training and fighting of dogs."In this unforgiving underworld, a dog who loses a fight is routinely executed, most commonly by hanging, electrocution, drowning or shooting," Assistant State's Attorney Thiru Vignarajah said. In addition to the arrests of the defendants this week, 17 search and seizure warrants -- 14 in Baltimore City, two in Baltimore County, and one in West Virginia -- were executed in which weapons and instrumentalities of the dogfighting ring were recovered, including eight firearms and 86 additional dogs -- all pit bulls and nearly two dozen puppies -- five treadmills, two "rape stands," heavy chains, conditioning harnesses, and surgical equipment. Additionally, a marijuana grow operation and over $70,000 in cash -- were also found during the police raids.Dogfighting is an underground criminal enterprise where dogs are systematically bred, conditioned and trained to engage in violent brutal combat for entertainment and financial gain. A central feature of dogfighting is the illegal placement of wagers, and the total purse among spectators can be $100,000 and higher, with individual cash bets of $25,000. These illegal associations transcend state borders, and dogfighters regularly travel outside the state of Maryland to procure and deliver dogs and to participate in dogfighting events. Relying upon common criminal networks, members of dogfighting rings have also been involved in firearms and narcotics trafficking."We have bite sticks, weapons, forced treadmill activity to make the dogs stronger for fighting. It is just ridiculous behavior, especially in 2014. We still have human beings that feel dogs are bred to do this kind of thing. It's just ridiculous," Miller said.Dogs who survive these brutal contests often later succumb to complications from injuries sustained during fights. To increase the chances of prevailing in dog fights -- and to maximize the corresponding profits from gambling on matches -- dogfighting rings employ disturbing conditioning methods designed to make dogs more aggressive, vicious and lethal. Dogs are compelled to wear weighted collars and heavy chains; they train in extreme weather conditions and on treadmills modified to push dogs to their physical limits. Dogfighting rings also avoid legitimate, licensed sources of medical care and veterinary services out of concern that the scarring, wounds, and general condition of their dogs, which would be regarded by those professionals as evidence of dogfighting, would be noticed and reported to authorities. Accordingly, dogfighters provide routine medical care themselves and administer shots, vaccines, and prescription medicines that are stolen or illegitimately obtained; they perform surgical procedures in substandard conditions."The firearms and narcotics seized during the course of this investigation and during the execution of the search warrants this week establish that there is a strong connection between those individuals who would subject animals to horrific treatment and abuse and those engaged in the drug trade and acts of violence. The indictment announced today highlights this connection and hopefully will protect innocent and vulnerable animals from further abuse and reduce violent criminal activity that adversely impacts our community," State's Attorney Gregg Bernstein said.Seventeen of the 22 defendants indicted this past week have criminal histories; eight of whom have convictions for crimes of violence. Five of the 22 have convictions for handgun violations; two of them have sex offense convictions; one of them has a prior conviction for murder. The defendants in custody are:Daryl Addison, 38, is charged with the dogfighting conspiracy, as well as four counts of aggravated cruelty related to dogfighting, four counts of animal abuse and neglect, and other related charges.Omar Alfarouq, 76, is charged with the dogfighting conspiracy, 16 counts of aggravated cruelty related to dogfighting, 18 counts of animal abuse and neglect, and other related charges.Anthony Banks, 37, is charged with the dogfighting conspiracy.Dion Brown, 29, is charged with the dogfighting conspiracy, seven counts of aggravated cruelty related to dogfighting and 14 counts of animal abuse and neglect.Raymond Casey, 37, is charged with the dogfighting conspiracy, as well as five counts of aggravated cruelty related to dogfighting and eight counts of animal abuse and neglect.Larry Gardner, 34, is charged with the dogfighting conspiracy, as well as four counts of aggravated cruelty related to dogfighting, four counts of animal abuse and neglect, and other related charges.Rodney Greene, 38, is charged with the dogfighting conspiracy, as well as eleven counts of aggravated cruelty related to dogfighting and 12 counts of animal abuse and neglect.Jovon Lee, 41, is charged with the dogfighting conspiracy.William Murray, Jr., 47, is charged with the dogfighting conspiracyKenneth Rice, 54, is charged with the dogfighting conspiracy, seven counts of animal abuse and neglect, and other related charges.James Roles, 45, is charged with the dogfighting conspiracy, one count of aggravated cruelty related to dogfighting.Daryl Solomon, 40, charged with the dogfighting conspiracy, four counts of aggravated cruelty related to dogfighting, four counts of animal abuse and neglect.Terry White, 38, is charged with the dogfighting conspiracy, four counts of aggravated cruelty related to dogfighting, three counts of animal abuse and neglect and other related charges.Tyrone Wolfe, 41, is charged with the dogfighting conspiracy, three counts of aggravated cruelty related to dogfighting, four counts of animal abuse and neglect and other related charges. 11 News reporter Lowell Melser contributed to this story. 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