Alvin Banks, Dog-Fighting Venture, Ohio 2014

Blood-Stained Ring Sealed Fate of Akron Dog-Fighting Kingpin

Alvin Banks, 56, a notorious dog-fighting kingpin from Akron, Ohio, has pleaded guilty to operating a dog-fighting venture and related counts. According to sources, Banks will be sentenced on June 30, marking the end of a long and grueling investigation.

The guilty plea was announced by Steven M. Dettelbach, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and accompanied by officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Akron Police Department, and the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.

Banks pleaded guilty to five counts, including sponsoring and exhibiting a canine in an animal fighting venture, buying and selling canines for participation in an animal fighting venture, attending an animal-fighting venture, being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, and possession with intent to manufacture and distribute less than 50 marijuana plants.

Authorities raided a home on Cordova Avenue in Akron on Nov. 15, 2014, as part of an investigation into dog fighting. The raid uncovered a blood-stained 16×16 foot ring, ‘break sticks’ used to pry a dog’s mouth and teeth off another dog, and eight pit bull or pit bull mixes, two of which were covered in blood and had fresh wounds from a recent fight.

The investigation preceding the indictment was a collaborative effort between the Akron Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Humane Society of Greater Akron. Assistant United States Attorney Linda H. Barr will be responsible for prosecuting the case.

Banks’ guilty plea marks the last of 10 people to plead guilty in federal court related to the dog-fighting operation uncovered in Akron last year. The conviction will undoubtedly bring a sense of relief to the community, who have been plagued by the vicious and inhumane practice of dog fighting.

Alvin Banks will face the consequences of his actions on June 30, when he is scheduled to be sentenced. The Grimy Times will continue to provide updates on this developing story.

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