MANY, Louisiana – Charles Calvin Akins, 52, of Many, Louisiana, is heading to federal prison after being sentenced to 15 months, followed by two years of supervised release, for his involvement in the brutal world of dog fighting. The sentencing, handed down by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote, closes a case that exposed a disturbing operation right in the heart of rural Louisiana.
The investigation, a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), began to unravel Akins’ activities earlier this year. In February 2022, a federal indictment was issued, and Akins ultimately pleaded guilty to possession of a dog for use in an animal fighting venture. This wasn’t Akins’ first brush with the law; court records show he was previously convicted of carnal knowledge of a juvenile in 1988, along with misdemeanor convictions for aggravated assault and unauthorized use of a movable in 2016.
ATF agents, executing a search warrant on Akins’ property in January, discovered a chilling scene. Fifteen pit bull type dogs were chained in the backyard, each with access to a small wooden structure. The ground around these structures was worn down, revealing “chain paths” – evidence of the dogs being forced to circle endlessly within their confines. The setup wasn’t just for containment; it was designed for conditioning.
Inside sheds on the property, agents found a homemade treadmill built for dogs, used to build stamina, and a disturbing array of tools of the trade. A pistol was discovered next to a toolbox containing a large metal spring device, a scale, and animal medications. Heavy chains, metal stakes, a dog-breeding device, and carpet scraps – commonly used to line fighting pits – completed the grim picture. The seized dogs displayed visible scars and aggressive behavior, confirming they were not simply pets, but weapons in a cruel spectacle.
Akins admitted to owning the dogs and the equipment, and to intending to use them in dog-fighting events for sport, wagering, and entertainment – activities that impact interstate commerce, bringing them under federal jurisdiction. U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown made it clear: “Dog fighting is not only against the law, but an inhumane way of treating animals. Individuals who participate in this type of activity should be aware that it is illegal to participate or wager in dog or cock fights.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan. While 15 months is the sentence for Akins, the scars – both physical and emotional – left on the dogs will likely last a lifetime. The Grimy Times will continue to follow the fate of the rescued animals and any further developments in this case, exposing the dark underbelly of animal cruelty wherever it exists.
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