TALLAHASSEE, FL – The stench of bloodsport hangs heavy over Panama City as Fredricus White, 38, and Cornelious Johnson, 41, admitted guilt in federal court this week. The pair pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a brutal, years-long conspiracy to breed, train, and pit fighting dogs. White faces additional charges for possessing firearms and ammunition despite a prior felony conviction, a clear disregard for the law and a potential threat to the community.
Court records reveal a sickening pattern of cruelty stretching from 2018 through February 2024. White and Johnson weren’t just bystanders; they actively participated in the barbaric practice of organized dogfighting, including breeding the animals for aggression, forcing them to fight, and profiting from illegal gambling on the outcomes. Their depravity wasn’t confined to the shadows. The duo were previously arrested in Georgia in 2022 on state charges related to a dog fight – a slap on the wrist that clearly failed to deter them.
Federal warrants issued in February 2024, stemming from the Georgia case, cracked open the operation. Law enforcement descended upon two rural properties near Panama City, uncovering a breeding ground for canine suffering. These weren’t just kennels; they were training facilities for violence. A search of White’s residence further exposed his disregard for the law, revealing three firearms despite prior felony convictions in 2009 and 2012. The man’s history screams danger, and he illegally armed himself anyway.
“These defendants engaged in cruel and continued mistreatment of animals, but now they will find themselves locked in a cell for their crimes,” stated U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin of the Northern District of Florida. “I deeply appreciate the dedicated work of our state and federal law enforcement partners to dismantle this heinous enterprise of animal cruelty, which unsurprisingly often increases violence in the community.” Heekin’s office is making a clear statement: animal cruelty won’t be tolerated, and those who profit from it will face the full force of the law.
The takedown was a joint effort, bringing together the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the United States Department of Agriculture Office of the Inspector General, with support from the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney Meredith L. Steer is prosecuting the case, drawing on resources from both the Criminal Division and the Environmental and Natural Resources Division. This wasn’t a simple bust; it was a coordinated dismantling of a criminal enterprise.
This case falls under “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration, dismantling cartels, and protecting communities from violent crime. While the connection to broader immigration issues isn’t immediately apparent, the operation highlights the Department of Justice’s strategy of streamlining resources to tackle all forms of criminal activity. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, one of 94 nationwide, is committed to litigating these cases. Public court documents can be accessed via the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website, and further information about the office is available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Organized Crime|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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