Update: More Dogs Found During Dogfighting Search Warrant Wed. + Felony Dogfight Charges Filed on 12 Susp's. LASD
(Photos - Click on the hyperlink at the bottom of this message)
The dogfighting investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is continuing following the arrest of 12 suspects in northern Los Angeles County after a tip to the LA County 24-hour Dog Fighting Tipline 877-NO2FITE.
Felony dogfighting counts have been filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office against all 12 suspects arrested for dogfighting in Littlerock in the Antelope Valley on June 23, 2012. (See prior news release below)
The investigation continues and on Wednesday, June 27, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept. (LASD) Community Oriented Policing Services Bureau (COPS) deputies served a search warrant at the home of Suspect Kevin Thomas, who was one of the 12 suspects arrested in Littlerock Saturday, June 23.
At his home in the 25800 Block of Pumalo Street, in the City of San Bernardino, LASD COPS deputies discovered four dogs. Three Pit bull dogs were recovered who had scarring indicative of fighting, according to Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control officers who had traveled to the home with the deputies (see photos). Animal Control officers took custody of the three fighting dogs, as well as a female Pit Bull dog believed to be used for breeding additional fighting dogs.
Also recovered from the home were two treadmills which are used to train dogs and increase their stamina. Several kennels and a harness used to assist in weighing dogs prior to fighting were also recovered.
Suspect Kevin Thomas faces 3 felony charges and one misdemeanor charge related to dog fighting.
Since Saturday, 9 of the suspects have bailed out of jail by posting bail of $20,000.00 each
Suspect Wilhite remains in custody in lieu of $100,000.00 bail plus $199,000.00 in traffic warrants (mostly for driving on a suspended driver's license).
Suspect Herman Ceasar is being held without bail due to a parole hold.
Suspect Jeremy Mark Anderson remains in custody in lieu of $20,000.00 bail and $40,000.00 In traffic warrants
"We are going to follow this investigation wherever it takes us," said Sheriff's Lieutenant Larry Gregg, LASD COPS Team. "If you have information about dogfighting, call the LA County 24-hour Dog Fighting Tipline at 877-NO2FITE (877-662-3483) so we can put an end to this cruel crime."
The LA County 24-hour Dog Fighting Tipline (877-NO2FITE or 877-662-3483, is funded in part by the Humane Society of the U.S. Up to $5,000.00 is offered for information that leads to an arrest or conviction of people engaging in the training or fighting of dogs. The identity of callers will remain confidential.
Captain Mike Parker
Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau - Newsroom Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
323-267-4800
http://www.lasd.org
SHBNewsroom@lasd.org
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Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
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***
Original LASD News Release
Sent: Monday, June 25, 2012
http://sheriff.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/lasd/media/detail/?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/lasd+content/lasd+site/home/home+top+stories/la+county+dogfighting+hotline+tip+results+in+felony+arrests+of+12+suspects+from+4+counties
LA County Dogfighting Hotline Tip Results in Felony Arrests of 12 Suspects from 4 Counties - LASD Photos (Photos - Click on the hyperlink at the bottom of this message)
The latest phone tip to the L.A. County Dogfighting Hotline (1-877-662-3483) about a pending dog fight led to the felony arrests of 12 men from four Counties Saturday evening, June 23, 2012.
The felony arrests for dogfighting and felony aiding and abetting dogfighting took place at a residence in the unincorporated community of Littlerock in the Antelope Valley of northern Los Angeles County.
The tipster called the hotline and said that a man was taking his dog to be involved in a dog fight. Humane Society hotline officials contacted deputies with the Community Oriented Policing Services Bureau (COPS) of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, who conducted a surveillance of the man and his dog.
The suspect traveled to several locations in the Antelope Valley, eventually arriving at a house in the 8900 block of East Avenue T-12, in the unincorporated community of Littlerock on Saturday, which is policed by the Palmdale Sheriff's Station of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
When sheriff's deputies approached the house, they saw eight pitbull dogs which appeared to be fighting dogs, some of which were tied to stakes in the yard. The dogs were kept apart from each other at the property so they would be ready to fight.
Several dogs showed scars believed to have been caused by previous fights. They also found medical supplies, including syringes and medication allegedly used to treat dogs after they were wounded in fights. Scales used to weigh dogs and a study guide on the breeding of dogs and dog fighting was recovered.
A dog fighting ring and a treadmill type machine (made of wooden slats) used for the forced physical conditioning of the dogs was held as evidence (photo).
Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care & Control responded to the scene, assisted in the investigation, and took control of the dogs.
The man deputies had been following as well as the homeowner and ten other adults were detained and eventually arrested for felony dogfighting or felony aiding and abetting a dogfight. The suspects were booked at Palmdale Sheriff's Station and are being held in lieu of $20,000 bail. Suspect Wilhite, the resident of the location, was additionally booked on three outstanding traffic warrants totaling $199,000.
The suspects are scheduled for arraignment on Tuesday, June 26, 2012, in Antelope Valley Court:
1. Paul Manuel Wilhite MB/48, Resident of the location in Littlerock
2. Kevin Benard Thomas MB/46, San Bernardino
3. Adan Manzo MH/36, Palmdale
4. Jeffrey Reyes Tedtaotao MO/36, Bellflower
5. Cornelius Bailey MB/58, Barstow (father)
6. Cornelius Bailey III MB/35, Compton (son)
7. Theron Lee Mahone MB/44, Los Angeles
8. Julio A. Chavez, MH/47, Orange
9. Herman Ceasar MH/62, San Bernardino
10. Jeremy Mark Anderson MB/43, Victorville
11. Miguel Angel Leon MH/37, Littlerock
12. George Allen Jones MB/60, Lancaster
"The tips to the L.A. County Dogfighting Hotline (1-877-662-3483) and directly to law enforcement are making it possible for us to stop the tragic and criminal abuse of dogs," said Sheriff's Lieutenant Larry Gregg, LASD COPS Team. "Dogfighting isn't a sport. It's a crime."
* KCBS-TV-2 VIDEO from the scene of the June 23, 2012 arrests and interview with LASD Lt. Larry Gregg:
http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012/06/24/12-arrested-on-suspicion-of-staging-participating-in-dog-fights-in-palmdale/
The Crime of Dog Fighting:
* FELONY DOG FIGHTING
Someone can be charged with felony dog fighting if they do any of the following:
- Owns;
- Possesses;
- Keeps;
- Trains any dog with the intent that the dog will be used in a dog fight;
- Allows any of the above to be done on any premises under his/her charge or control; or
- Aids or abets any of the above.
California Penal Code section 597.5 is a felony. It carries a penalty of up to three years in state prison, a fine of up to $50,000, or both.
* Additional criminal charges could be for intentional cruelty, animal neglect (e.g.: in instances where dogs have been injured in a fight and not taken for medical treatment or where any of the dogs at the scene are simply neglected (untreated skin conditions, underweight, ear infections, severe flea infestation, etc.). It is also possible to charge for Practicing Veterinary Medicine Without a License.
* DOG FIGHTING - A SPECTATOR CRIME
California Penal Code section 597.5(b) makes it a crime to knowingly be present at a dog fight as a spectator OR to knowingly be present in a place where preparations for a fight are being made. The penalty is up to one year in county jail, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
** Dog fighting, cock-fighting, and other forms of animal fighting are not a sport, they are a felony. So is animal cuelty. A conviction for felony animal cruelty can result in a sentence of up to 3 years in prison.
***The LA County 24-hour Dog Fighting Tipline (877-NO2FITE or 877-662-3483, is funded in part by the Humane Society of the U.S. Up to $5,000.00 is offered for information that leads to an arrest or conviction of people engaging in the training or fighting of dogs. The identity of callers will remain confidential.
The Animal Cruelty Education and Training Committee of the Peace Officers Association of Los Angeles County (POALAC) was formed to provide training for peace officers about the unique elements of investigating animal cruelty cases, including dog fighting. The deputies who made this arrest attended this training.
More (prior) dog fighting news releases not related to these suspects:
LA County District Attorney announces $5,000 reward for dogfighting tipster. Suspects in jail. Photos, Video Press Conference (Jan. 26, 2012)
http://nixle.com/alert/4779909/
VIDEO: Watch the Jan. 26, 2012 Press Conference here. The speakers explain the dog fighting situation in Los Angeles County:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9lrRxfEpQQ
Antelope Valley couple pleads in dog fighting operation, animal cruelty, veterinary medicine without a license, cocaine in Lake Los Angeles (Nov. 30, 2011)
http://sheriff.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/lasd/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3hLAwMDd3-nYCN3M19LA0_nEDPvMJMAQ39jA_2CbEdFAFVdgp4!/?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/wps/wcm/connect/lasd+content/lasd+site/home/home+top+stories/dog_fight_ring_lake_los_angeles
Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Bureau Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
(323) 981-5300
www.COPS.lasd.org
Written by:
Captain Mike Parker
Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau - Newsroom Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
323-267-4800
http://www.lasd.org
SHBNewsroom@lasd.org
www.Nixle.com : LASD Text and Emails
http://nixle.com/lasd----hq-newsroom-shb-los-angeles-county-sheriff/
Twitter @LASD_News http://twitter.com/#!/LASD_News http://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesCountySheriffsDepartment
Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
To receive detailed, up-to-date information directly from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) via e-mail, register for "Nixle" alerts at www.Nixle.com or more directly at https://local.nixle.com/register/ and register for "LASD – Headquarters Newsroom (SHB), Los Angeles County Sheriff" and your local LASD station area. Or, text your zip code to 888777 to receive text alerts only. Standard text messaging rates may apply depending on your calling plan.
(Photos - Click on the hyperlink below)
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