East Texas dogfighting ring busted

WASHINGTON (AP) -  As many as 350 dogs have been seized and about 30 people arrested in raids across five states that animal welfare groups are calling the largest simultaneous raid of dogfighting operations in the U.S.

Authorities said Wednesday that the raids were conducted by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies across Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Texas and Oklahoma.

The raids followed a more than year-long investigation prompted by information from the Humane Society of Missouri, which says it reached out to others when it realized the scope of the operations.

Dogfighting is a felony throughout the United States.

President George W. Bush signed a law two years ago that increased penalties for activities that promote or encourage animal fighting.

John M. Bales, the U.S. attorney in eastern Texas, said nine people in his state were indicted on June 30 of three counts - conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, sponsoring or exhibiting an animal in an animal fighting venture and buying, selling, delivering or transporting animals for participation in an animal fighting venture. If convicted, the defendants each face up to five years in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000.

Bales said eight people were arrested Wednesday in Texas' Panola and Gregg counties. Nine dogs, mostly pit bull terriers, were seized during a search of property in rural Panola County.

Bales said a veterinarian was onsite to care for the dogs along with representatives of the Humane Society. Bales said he's filed motions to put the dogs in the care of the Humane Society and asked a judge to order those charged in the case to reimburse the organization for the cost.

By NEDRA PICKLER

Associated Press Writer

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

U.S. Attorney's Office

     TYLER, TX -   U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced today that this morning a combined task force of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies arrested 8 individuals charged with involvement in an interstate dog fighting ring. 

On July 8, 2009, agents and officers executed a federal arrest warrant in Panola County, Texas, and Gregg County, Texas.  Nine dogs, mostly pit bull terriers, were seized during a search of property in rural Panola County.  A licensed veterinarian was on-site to examine and provide any necessary care to the dogs.  Also on-site were representatives of the Humane Society of the United States, who have been consulted during the investigation.

Those named in the Indictment, which was unsealed this morning, are KARL S. COURTNEY, aka Shane, 34, of Beckville, Texas; JERRY S. CHISM, aka Scotty, 34, of Longview, Texas; JERRY L. BEENE, age 69, of Hampton, Arkansas; JERRY L. MATLOCK, 57, of Stilwell, Oklahoma; CHASE M. COURTNEY, 26, of Carthage, Texas; DEVIN L. PELZL, 29, of Beckville, Texas; MICHAEL L. BEENE, 36, of Hampton, Arkansas; HAROLD D. STEWART, 41, of Beckville, Texas; and CHAD A. COURTNEY, 30, of Carthage, Texas.

On June 30, 2009, a federal grand jury returned a 3-count Indictment charging the 9 defendants with (1) conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States; (2) sponsoring or exhibiting an animal in an animal fighting venture; and (3) buying, selling, delivering or transporting animals for participation in an animal fighting venture.  If convicted, the defendants each face up to 5 years in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000. 

U.S. Attorney Bales noted that today's arrests represent a significant step in addressing what Bales described as completely reprehensible criminal activity.  "I commend the agents and officers who have worked very hard on this investigation.  In due time, we look forward to presenting all of the evidence that they have collected in federal court.  I also appreciate the significant investigative assistance provided by the Humane Society. "

The U.S. Attorney also filed motions seeking to take legal ownership of the dogs and place the animals in the care and custody of the Humane Society.  Under federal law, the government can forfeit any animals engaged in any animal fighting venture.  Additionally, the U.S. Attorney is seeking a court order requiring the defendants to reimburse the Humane Society for all costs incurred for care of the animals while the animals are in the custody of the Humane Society.

The Indictment resulted from an investigation which began in October 2008, and was launched by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG), the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Texas Department of Public Safety.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard L. Moore is prosecuting the case in coordination with U.S. Attorney's Offices in the Eastern District of Oklahoma and Western and Eastern Districts of Missouri.

        A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.