Attorneys/Judges
| Prosecutor(s): | Matthew Drake, Charlie Birmingham and Julie Wright |
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CONVICTED: Was justice served?
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Case #15616 Rating: 4.0 out of 5
Dog-fighting - more than 150 dogs seized
Eldon, MO (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Jul 8, 2009
County: Miller
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 2 files available
Defendants/Suspects:
» Michael Morgan
» Robert Lee Hackman
» Teddy Kiriakidis
» Ronald Creach
» Jack Ruppel
Case Updates: 7 update(s) available
Officers from multiple federal and state law enforcement agencies arrested five Missouri men and seized more than 150 Pit Bull Terriers in an early morning raid on several locations involved in dog fighting ventures, Acting United States Attorney Michael W. Reap announced today.
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 of Missouri. Under federal law, the government can take custody of 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 of Missouri for all costs incurred for care of the animals while the animals are in their custody.
According to the indictment between January 2008 and June 2009, Michael Morgan, Robert Hackman, Teddy Kiriakidis, Ronald Creach and Jack Ruppel were involved in animal fighting ventures and dog fighting competitions. They established and ran various kennel operations to purchase, breed, train, condition, and develop Pit Bull Terriers for participation in the animal fighting ventures, Robert Hackman operated "Shake Rattle and Roll Kennel," Jack Ruppel operated "Ozark Hillbillys Kennel," Michael Morgan a/k/a "Missouri Mike" operated "Cannibal Kennel," and Ronald Creach operated "Hard Goodbye Kennel."
The indictment alleges that the defendants routinely inhumanely abandoned, destroyed, and otherwise disposed of Pit Bull Terriers that lost fighting competitions, did not perform aggressively enough, or that became injured, wounded, or disabled as a result of participating in an animal fighting ventures.
In addition to the indictment unsealed today in the Eastern District of Missouri, 21 defendants were also charged in separate cases arising from the same investigation in the Western District of Missouri, the Southern District of Illinois and the Eastern District of Texas.
Headed by the U. S. Department of Agriculture's Office of Inspector General, this dog fighting investigation is the latest in a series of major animal fighting investigations conducted throughout the country since the passage of the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act, signed into law in May 2007, which makes it a felony to participate in the blood sport.
"As evidenced through this and other recent investigations, animal fighting activities exist throughout the state and the country," said Special Agent-in-Charge James L. Mendenhall. "The OIG will continue to pursue substantive allegations of animal fighting, and is committed to work in concert with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to that end."
"We are pleased with the success of this lengthy and thorough investigation, stated Colonel James F. Keathley, Superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Undercover officers from within the Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control along with the other state and federal agencies should be commended for their dedication and continued hard work in our concerted efforts to stop animal fighting."
"The Humane Society of Missouri provided initial information that led to this investigation. During the course of the investigation they also cared for animals involved when possible, and they are presently designated to provide continuing care for the seized dogs," said Acting United States Attorney Michael Reap.
"Forcing a dog to fight to its death is not a sport," said John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge of the St. Louis office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). "There is nothing respectable about encouraging two animals to torture and dismember each other. Individuals who participate in dog fighting claim to care for the animals, but they don't hesitate to electrocute their helpless dog once it loses a fight and can no longer provide any financial benefit."
Indicted in the Eastern District of Missouri:
Michael Morgan, a/k/a Missouri Mike, 38, Hannibal, MO, on two felony counts of conspiracy to commit federal offenses and one felony count of prohibitions against animal fighting ventures;
Robert Hackman, 55, Foley, MO, two felony counts of conspiracy to commit federal offenses and two felony counts of prohibitions against animal fighting ventures;
Teddy Kiriakidis, a/k/a Teddy Bogart, 50, Leasburg, MO, one felony count of conspiracy to commit federal offenses;
Ronald Creach, 34, Leslie, MO, one felony count of conspiracy to commit federal offenses; and
Jack Ruppel, 35 Eldon, MO, town, two felony counts of conspiracy to commit federal offenses and two felony counts of prohibitions against animal fighting ventures.
If convicted, each count of the indictment carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000.
Reap commended the work on the case by the Missouri State Highway Patrol , the Humane Society of Missouri, the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Drake, Charlie Birmingham and Julie Wright who are handling the cases for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations, and each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Case UpdatesAn Eldon man was sentenced in federal court on Friday for his role in a dog-fighting conspiracy and selling dogs for fighting purposes.
Jack Ruppel, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey to 16 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Ruppel to forfeit to the government all of the animals, money, weapons, animal fighting paraphernalia, property and assets seized by law enforcement officials during their investigation.
This case was part of a multistate investigation that resulted in additional defendants being charged in separate cases in three other districts and the federal seizure of hundreds of dogs during a series of coordinated raids on July 8, 2009. | Source: newstribune.com - Mar 28, 2010
Update posted on Mar 30, 2010 - 3:29PM |
| Teddy Kiriakidis, 50, and Ronald Creach, 34, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy, were sentenced to 18 months in federal prison. Michael Morgan, 38, and Robert Hackman, 56, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy and selling animals for fighting, were sentenced to one year in prison. | Source: USA Today - Dec 8, 2009
Update posted on Feb 24, 2010 - 2:40PM |
Dozens of rescued dogs will be leaving St. Louis this morning for special homes across the country. They are some of the 400 pit bulls that were rescued in July in the largest dog fighting bust in U.S. history. 26 pit bulls will be dropped off at adoptive homes throughout many western states including Utah, Oregon and California. The Humane Society is working with rescue groups, organizations that know how to deal with dogs that were trained to fight.
The animals' new owners know how to handle the dogs and retrain them. The dogs were brought to the Humane Society in July as part of a record five state raid. There were federal indictments and close to 30 arrests.
Another 31 dogs will be leaving St. Louis this afternoon they are headed for homes on the east coast. A judge recently ruled that these dogs are adoptable. | Source: fox2now.com - Nov 12, 2009
Update posted on Nov 12, 2009 - 2:39PM |
Following the biggest dog-fighting ring bust in U.S. history this summer, some of more than 500 pit bulls are up for adoption. The St. Louis Humane Society has been caring for 407 dogs that were confiscated from a multi-state dog-fighting ring raid in July. More than 100 puppies were born after they were confiscated.
Vice President of Operations Debbie Hill says 19 of the dogs have been adopted out, and as the court awards custody of more of them to the Humane Society, more homes will be sought. But, she says, some had to be euthanized.
Hill says adopting these dogs out spreads a message about an illegal industry most people don’t know is so prevalent.
She says it’s amazing how after being so mistreated, the dogs are so people-friendly. Some are even finding a new purpose in life as therapy dogs.
Four defendants in Missouri pleaded guilty to federal dog fighting charges stemming from the raid, which happened July 8.
Robert Hackman of Foley, Teddy Kiriakidis of Leasburg, Ronald Creach of Leslie and Michael Morgan of Hannibal pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to charges connected to the raid. Another man arrested in connection with the raid �" Jack Ruppel of Eldon �" pleaded guilty to charges Sept. 4 in federal court in Jefferson City.
The ASPCA assisted the Humane Society of Missouri and federal and state agencies in conducting the raid, which resulted in the rescue of more than 400 dogs and the arrests of 26 people accused of organizing dog fighting rings. Arrests were made in eight states, including Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Nebraska, and Mississippi.
Dogs rescued exhibited numerous wounds and scars; some missing lips, limbs, some with exposed bone. Many had internal parasites, ear infections and broken, worn or missing teeth.
“The ASPCA is determined to protect its nation’s pets from dogfighting and other forms of brutality” said ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. “Animal cruelty cannot be tolerated, and we are pleased that the five Eastern Missouri defendants are taking responsibility for the pain and suffering that they inflicted.”
Members of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals disaster response team, in addition to 22 other organizations from around the country and under the direction of the Humane Society of Missouri, are in St. Louis caring for the 407 dogs that were seized, which now include more than 100 puppies born since the raid. In addition, behavior experts from the ASPCA assisted the Humane Society in evaluating the dogs to determine their suitability for possible adoption or placement with rescue groups. Information from these evaluations was provided to the U.S. District Courts, which will decide the ultimate fate of each dog. Forfeiture of the dogs is a separate federal court process and is expected to take place over the next few weeks.
The ASPCA was also responsible for the collection of forensic evidence, which will be used to aid prosecutors in bringing to justice those involved in the brutal dog fighting rings. Dr. Melinda Merck, the nation’s premier forensic veterinarian, was on the scene with the ASPCA’s “Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit,” a critical tool in the collection and processing of evidence at crime scenes. The CSI unit brings both state-of-the-art forensics tools and expertise to crime scenes and is outfitted with medical equipment tailored for animal patients.
“The ASPCA is proud to have had its expert staff be a part of this important case,” said Laura Maloney, Senior Vice President of Anti-Cruelty Initiatives for the ASPCA. “These dogs suffered terribly in the hands of dogfighters, and our hope is that the evidence collected will help bring justice for all of these animals.”
Sentencing date for the four defendants who pled today has been set for Dec. 8. | Source: missourinet.com - Oct 22, 2009
Update posted on Oct 25, 2009 - 11:45AM |
Four defendants in Missouri have pleaded guilty to federal dog fighting charges stemming from the largest dog fighting raid in U.S. history, which happened July 8.
Four eastern Missouri men -- Robert Hackman of Foley, Teddy Kiriakidis of Leasburg, Ronald Creach of Leslie and Michael Morgan of Hannibal -- pleaded guilty this week in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to charges connected to the raid. Another man arrested in connection with the raid -- Jack Ruppel of Eldon -- pleaded guilty to charges Sept. 4 in federal court in Jefferson City.
The ASPCA assisted the Humane Society of Missouri and federal and state agencies in conducting the raid, which resulted in the rescue of more than 400 dogs and the arrests of 26 people accused of organizing dog fighting rings. Arrests were made in eight states, including Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Nebraska, and Mississippi.
Dogs rescued exhibited numerous wounds and scars; one was missing lips; another was missing a leg. Many had internal parasites, ear infections and broken, worn or missing teeth. | Source: MissouriNet - Sept 17, 2009
Update posted on Sep 17, 2009 - 4:37PM |
A central Missouri man pleaded guilty today to participating in a multi-state dog fighting operation broken up by law enforcement authorities this summer.
Jack Ruppel, 35, of Eldon, is the first defendant to plead guilty in Missouri as a result of the case, believed to be the largest dog fighting operation ever uncovered in the United States.
Ruppel, who operated Ozark Hillbillies Kennel, entered pleas at the federal courthouse in Jefferson City to charges of conspiracy to participate in animal fighting and to selling an animal used for dog fighting.
According to terms of a plea agreement, Ruppel admitted to participating in or attending 10 dog fighting matches, including one at his residence and to wagering on some of the matches.
He faces up to 10 years in federal prison and will be sentenced after a pre-sentence report is completed. | Source: Kansas City Star - Sept 4, 2009
Update posted on Sep 4, 2009 - 11:25PM |
Federal investigators reportedely raided the home of Eldon resident Jack Ruppel, 35, early Wednesday morning.
FBI agents, members of Missouri's Highway Patrol, U.S.D.A. and the Humane Society arrived at Ruppel's house around 6 a.m. and started carrying out as dozens of animals and other items from the home.
Neighbors say the dog situation at the Ruppel home has been going on for several years. Neighbors say dogs bark and whine all hours of the day and night. They also say they've seen the animals training for fights right in the front yard of the Miller Road residence.
Investigators allege Ruppel ran "Ozarks Hillbilly's Kennel" using his home to breed and train dogs to fight. Prosecutors say some dogs were burned, shot or thrown in a river if they lost fights. Neighbors say they saw the animal abuse first hand with the dead puppies or the dogs they wanted to dispose of.
"They popped the septic cap, and they'd drop them down the septic tank," according to a neighbor.
The raid took several hours. The dogs are now on their way to St. Louis where they will be treated and evaluated for adoptions. | Source: connectmidmissouri.com - Jul 8, 2009
Update posted on Jul 8, 2009 - 5:44PM |
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