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Case #15398 Rating: 3.0 out of 5
Dog-fighting - 14 dogs seized
Pottstown, PA (US)Incident Date: Friday, Jan 16, 2009
County: Chester
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Richard Gibson
Case Updates: 3 update(s) available
One man is in custody after Pottstown Police went looking for drugs in his residence and uncovered what they believed to be a fight-dog training operation Jan. 16.
Richard Gibson, 37, of the 600 block of Beech Street, was taken into custody by police after they discovered a small amount of marijuana in his residence during a search for drugs.
In addition,14 pitbulls were found in Gibson's residence, each in a cage or kennel in the basement, as well as equipment police believe Gibson was using to train the animals for dogfighting, according to police.
Among the items found in the basement were treadmills, both makeshift units and store-bought units that were modified for use by the dogs, muscle building supplements that bodybuilders or weight lifters often take, and breaking sticks which are often inserted into dog's mouths to break up dog fights.
One of the investigating officers said the dogs were barking and easily heard by officers who were on the first floor of the home.
When police searched the basement as part of the search warrant for drugs they had obtained, which was valid for Gibson's entire residence, police found the 14 pitbulls, some male and female, in cages in a 8-foot by 10-foot area. All 14 dogs were seized by officials with the Montgomery County SPCA, police said.
Police also located what appeared to be a record of dog fight matches, which included the dogs' name, their weight class and for how long they were able to fight their opponent. Some of the fights lasted more than an hour, as noted on the record.
Police said Gibson, when questioned, said the dogs were show dogs; however, he was unable to produce any paperwork proving that claim.
Police were assisted by the Montgomery County SPCA and the borough's animal control officer.
The official with the SPCA told police he believed at least one of the dogs had brain damage, possibly resulting from the dogfights it had been in.
Many of the dogs had visible injuries, including scarring that could have been caused by fighting with other dogs.
The representative from the Montgomery County SPCA also told police he was familiar with Gibson and had received several prior reports that Gibson was operating some type of dog training program for dogs that were being used in dogfighting, police said.
Dogfighting is illegal in all 50 states, according to the Humane Society of the United States.
In April 2007, Michael Vick, a professional football player with the Atlanta Falcons, made headlines when he became the center of an investigation into an elaborate dogfighting ring. As part of his sentencing, Vick was ordered to serve time in prison and pay thousands of dollars in fines.
Police said Gibson has not been formally charged for the dog fighting operation as the investigation is ongoing. Police said Gibson was arraigned by on-call District Judge Margaret Fleischer-Hunsicker, of Norristown. Gibson's bail was set at $10,000, 10 percent. He is awaiting his preliminary hearing.
Case UpdatesA Pottstown man who prosecutors alleged hid a horrific fight-dog training operation in his basement will be under court supervision for three years.
Richard Gibson, 38, of Beech Street, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court on Tuesday to three years’ probation after he pleaded guilty to charges of animal fighting and possession of drug paraphernalia in connection with a January 2009 raid at his home that uncovered the operation.
Judge Thomas C. Branca, who accepted a plea agreement in the case, also ordered Gibson to complete 24 hours of community service.
“The defendant shall not own any animals during the period of his probation,” Branca said.
While there were no witnesses to actual dog fighting, police discovered circumstantial evidence in the form of equipment they believe was used to train the animals for dog fighting, court documents indicate.
“The basement was a house of horrors for the dogs. The conditions in the home were disgusting,” alleged Assistant District Attorney Abby Silverman, referring to the 14 pit bull dogs that were stored in unsanitary cages that lined the walls. | Source: Pottstown Mercury - May 4, 2010
Update posted on Jun 2, 2010 - 5:18PM |
A Pottstown man was declared a fugitive after he was a no-show at his scheduled trial on drug and animal cruelty charges in connection with a raid at his home that uncovered what authorities alleged was a training operation for dog fighting.
Montgomery County prosecutors convinced a judge on Monday to issue a bench warrant for Richard Gibson, 38, of Beech Street, when Gibson did not appear in court for what was supposed to be his trial on charges of animal fighting, cruelty to animals, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia in connection with a January 2009 incident.
Judge Thomas C. Branca issued the bench warrant against Gibson, who had been free after posting 10 percent of $10,000 bail last year to await his trial.
“Sheriff’s deputies can now apprehend him and bring him before a judge. At that point, we will ask that he be held in jail without bail pending his trial,” said Assistant District Attorney Abby Silverman. “Anytime somebody has a trial scheduled and they don’t show up, it shows a lack of respect for the judicial system.”
Defense lawyer Stephen Ross indicated in court that he hasn’t been able to get in touch with Gibson.
If he’s convicted of all the charges at trial, Gibson faces a possible maximum sentence of 38 ½ to 77 years in prison.
An investigation of Gibson began on Jan. 16, 2009, when Pottstown police showed up at his two-story, red shuttered home on the south side of Beech Street with a search warrant looking for marijuana, court documents indicate. | Source: pottstownmercury.com - Mar 15, 2010
Update posted on Mar 19, 2010 - 3:34PM |
A Pottstown man has pleaded not guilty to drug and animal cruelty charges in connection with a raid on his home that uncovered what authorities believed to be a fight-dog training operation.
Richard Gibson, 37, of the 600 block of Beech Street, waived his arraignment in Montgomery County Court and pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of animal fighting, cruelty to animals, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia in connection with the January raid.
By waiving his arraignment, Gibson did not have to appear before a judge for a formal reading of the charges lodged against him. Gibson's case will now be scheduled for trial.
Gibson remains free after posting 10 percent of $10,000 bail to await his next court hearing.
If convicted of all the charges at trial, Gibson faces a possible maximum sentence of 38½ to 77 years in prison.
An investigation of Gibson began on Jan. 16 when Pottstown police showed up at his two-story, red shuttered home on the south side of Beech Street with a search warrant looking for marijuana, court documents indicate.
When police entered the home and encountered Gibson they found him possessing a small amount of marijuana in his pant's pocket. Police also found one bag of marijuana, glass pipes commonly used to ingest drugs, a scale and other vials and clear bags containing suspected marijuana seeds, according to the arrest affidavit.
To complete the search of the residence, police went to the basement.
"The basement was pitch black and we heard dogs barking," Pottstown Police Officer Adrian Stead wrote in the criminal complaint.
When police turned on the lights, they discovered 14 pit bull dogs " male and female " in cages lined up against the walls of the basement, according to the arrest affidavit.
"The animals were stored in poorly maintained cages that were unsanitary. The basement had a terrible odor. The dogs were separated in metal crates that were tightly stored together," Stead alleged.
In addition to the dogs, police discovered equipment they believe was used to train the animals for dog fighting, court documents indicate.
Among the items found in the basement were two treadmills that allegedly were modified for use by dogs. Authorities also discovered dog supplements for muscle enhancement and stamina and so-called "break sticks," which are often inserted into dogs' mouths to break up dogfights, according to police.
Inside a tackle box, also called a "fight kit," authorities found bandages and medications, court documents alleged.
Police also located what appeared to be a record of dogfight matches.
"The list of dog names appeared to be a type of scorecard that depicted organized fights the animals participated in," Stead alleged.
All the dogs were seized by officials of the Montgomery County SPCA. | Source: The Reporter - April 5, 2009
Update posted on Apr 5, 2009 - 8:43AM |
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