Robert Arellano, Dog Fighting, New Jersey 2018
An Albuquerque, New Mexico, man has been convicted on federal dog fighting charges, stemming from a case brought by federal authorities in the U.S. District Court in the District of New Mexico.
Robert Arellano, 65, pleaded guilty on November 15, 2018, in federal court in Trenton, New Jersey, to three felony counts (Counts 1-3 of the indictment) of possessing a dog intended for use in an animal fighting venture at his home in Albuquerque.
U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Craig Carpenito made the announcement.
“Dog fighting is vicious and cruel. And beyond the needless suffering it inflicts on animals, it exacts a toll on local animal shelters, humane organizations, and the taxpayers of New Jersey,” U.S. Attorney Carpenito said. “The message from this conviction is simple: if you fight dogs in New Jersey, you will face prosecution and imprisonment.”
“Dog fighting is a cruel and brutal practice that has no place in a civilized society,” said Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark. “The message from this conviction is simple: if you fight dogs in New Jersey, you will face prosecution and imprisonment.”
Arellano possessed dogs at his home in Albuquerque for dog fighting purposes, and trafficked in dogs with other dog fighters in Indiana and New Jersey so that those dogs could be used in fights. He also maintained a collection of dog fighting videos, records, how-to materials, and photographs.
Each count of conviction carries a maximum of five years in prison and a criminal fine of up to $250,000. Five other defendants in the case previously pleaded guilty to dog fighting and firearms charges and were sentenced to a total of 153 months in prison.
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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