ALBANY, GA – A four-year federal investigation has cracked a vicious dogfighting ring operating across the Southeast, resulting in the indictment and arrest of seven men. The operation, dubbed “229 Boys Kennels, Inc.,” allegedly bred, trained, and pitted American Pit Bull Terriers against each other for profit, leaving a trail of animal suffering and illegal gambling in its wake.
U.S. Attorney Michael J. Moore announced today that Arthur Lee Clark, age 41, of Sumner, Georgia; Demitri Jackson, age 37; Tedrick Jackson, age 38; William Burns, age 41; Otha Hopkins, age 47, all of Albany, Georgia; Timothy Hopkins, age 41, of Hiram, Georgia; and Michael Bass, age 40, of Ashburn, Georgia were indicted on one count of conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture, and three counts of sponsoring and exhibiting a dog in an animal fighting venture. The indictment details a scheme that ran from approximately April 2006 to April 2010, centered in Albany, Georgia.
According to court documents, “229 Boys Kennels, Inc.” wasn’t just a local affair. The defendants actively produced, promoted, and participated in dogfight gambling shows throughout the Southeast, extending their reach into Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, and North Carolina. They aggressively bred, purchased, sold, and trained their dogs, seeking out superior bloodlines from across the region to bolster their “stock.” The indictment alleges the ring actively advertised their dogs’ fighting prowess online and through word-of-mouth, driving up sale prices and increasing potential winnings.
But the pursuit of profit came at a horrific cost. The indictment paints a gruesome picture of what happened to dogs deemed unfit to continue fighting. Those animals were reportedly “exterminated” through brutal methods, including being bludgeoned with hammers and slammed against the ground until dead. This isn’t just illegal gambling; it’s calculated cruelty on a sickening scale.
Authorities moved in on April 30, 2014, in a coordinated effort involving the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (Sylvester and Americus Field Offices), the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Albany Police Department. A subsequent search warrant yielded a shocking discovery: 42 American Pit Bull Terriers being used for the purposes of dogfight gambling. The dogs are now in the care of authorities.
If convicted, each of the seven defendants faces a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is simply an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia C. Bowen. Anyone with information regarding the case is encouraged to contact Pamela Lightsey, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.
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Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Organized Crime|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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