Attorneys/Judges
| Prosecutor(s): | U.S. Attorney John M. Bales |
Dog-fighting - 9 dogs seized in 2 counties
Carthage, TX (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Jul 8, 2009
County: Panola
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged:
» Karl S. Courtney
» Chase M. Courtney
» Chad A. Courtney
» Jerry S. Chism
» Jerry L. Beene
» Jerry L. Matlock - Convicted
» Devin L. Pelzl
» Michael L. Beene
» Harold D. Stewart - Convicted
Case Updates: 5 update(s) available
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.
Case UpdatesA Cherokee County man is waiting to be sentenced after pleading guilty to a conspiracy charge, following a massive dog fighting bust that has spanned several states. Federal prosecutors say he served as referee for several dog fights.
It has been called the biggest dog fighting raid in history.
Some say it's entertainment, and others call it barbaric.
"Americans are appalled at this blood sport," said Stephen Eberle, an animal activist.
Federal prosecutors call dog fighting a crime. Last summer, undercover agents infiltrated dog fighting rings in Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Texas and in Oklahoma.
"Most Oklahomans think this happens in other states, in other countries, this happens right in your backyard," said Eberle.
A man from Stillwell got swept up in one of the raids. Federal prosecutors say in January of 2009, Jerry Matlock served as a referee for several dog fights, about seven miles outside of Tahlequah. Court documents show one fight lasted more than an hour. It goes on to reveal, when one dog would no longer fight, Matlock handed over $3,000 to the winning dog's owner.
"This is really showing how abominable and how unacceptable dog fighting is in this country," said Eberle.
Eberle says since Michael Vick's high profile prosecution for dog fighting, felony convictions have tripled.
"Because this is so underground, all we know are the convictions, which are just the tip of the iceberg," said Eberle.
Matlock's attorney says he accepted responsibility early on and that's why he pled guilty to conspiracy. He could get up to five years in federal prison. | Source: Newson6.com - Mar 30, 2010
Update posted on Mar 30, 2010 - 3:20PM |
U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced today that a 42-year-old Beckville, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a dogfighting conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas.
Harold D. Stewart pleaded guilty on Nov. 18, 2009, to conspiracy charges and was sentenced to 8 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. Stewart was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.
According to information presented in court, on July 8, 2009, federal warrants were executed in Panola and Gregg counties for nine individuals involved in a dogfighting conspiracy. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on June 30, 2009, charging the defendants with federal dogfighting crimes.
This case is being investigated 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 prosecuted this case. | Source: kltv.com - Mar 8, 2010
Update posted on Mar 8, 2010 - 5:15PM |
A Beckville man pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal dog fighting charges.
Harold D. Stewart, 41, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture, according to a U.S. Attorney's Office news release. Authorities arrested Stewart and eight other people in July after serving an arrest warrant in Panola and Gregg counties. Nine dogs, mostly pit bulls, were seized during the operation. A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment against Stewart in June.
Stewart faces up to three years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set. | Source: News-Journal.com - Nov 18, 2009
Update posted on Nov 18, 2009 - 5:44PM |
A Jacksonville High School assistant football coach has been placed on administrative leave for his alleged involvement in an interstate dogfighting ring.
Jerry "Scotty" Chism, 34, Longview, is being paid during his administrative leave, but the money he is receiving was earned during the 2008-09 school year, said Dr. Joe Wardell, Jacksonville ISD superintendent.
He said the length of Chism's administrative leave will depend on the outcome of his indictment.
"Because this is a personnel matter, I am limited in the information that I can share with you at this time," Wardell said in a prepared statement sent to district employees. "Rest assured that the well being of our students and staff is always top priority in every decision that we make."
Wardell estimated that Chism has been with JISD for a year.
Chism was one of eight people arrested July 8. The East Texas arrests were part of a five-state raid that some are calling the largest simultaneous raid of dogfighting operations in the U.S.
A task force of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies executed a federal arrest warrant in Gregg and Panola counties. Nine dogs, mostly pit bull terriers, were seized in rural Panola County and a licensed veterinarian was on hand to examine and provide care to the dogs, according to information from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Chism was named with eight others in a three-count indictment returned June 30. Others charged in the East Texas federal case include Chase M. Courtney, 26, and Chad A. Courtney, 30, both of Carthage; Karl "Shane" Courtney, 34, Devin L. Pelzl, 29, and Harold D. Stewart, 41, all of Beckville; Jerry L. Beene, 69, and Michael L. Beene, 36, both of Hampton Ark.; and Jerry L. Matlock, 57, of Stilwell, Okla.
The charges include 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 prison.
The U.S. Attorney also filed motions to take legal ownership of the dogs and place the animals in the custody of the Humane Society of the United States, which also had representatives present during the raid.
Jeane Jae, director of communications with the Humane Society of Missouri, said 407 dogs were seized in Missouri and Illinois, nine were seized in Texas and 12 were seized in Oklahoma.
The dogs seized in Missouri and Illinois are currently staying at a temporary facility in St. Louis, she said, adding that some puppies have already been born.
Ms. Jae said information form the Humane Society of Missouri led to the investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the FBI.
"We are just very gratified in this case. This (dogfighting) is obviously a horrendous activity that we would like to and are doing our best to put an end to. It's very sad what humans have done to this breed (pit bulls)," she said.
In the future, Ms. Jae said the Humane Society of Missouri will continue to pursue information they receive about possible dogfighting. | Source: Tylerpaper.com - Jul 16, 2009
Update posted on Jul 22, 2009 - 10:08PM |
The only Oklahoma man arrested in a five-state raid on suspected dogfighting operations pleaded not guilty to a federal conspiracy charge Tuesday afternoon.
A federal grand jury in Texas indicted Jerry Matlock, 57, of Stilwell and eight others with conspiracy related to dogfighting. His trial is scheduled for early September, said his attorney, Rex Earl Starr of Stilwell. He was released from jail last week on $10,000 bail.
Matlock and his co-defendants were arrested July 7 after a yearlong investigation led to raids of suspected dogfighting outfits in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Thirty people were arrested, and more than 400 dogs were confiscated. Animal experts are evaluating the animals.
Matlock and the others, who are from Texas and Arkansas, are accused of running a dogfighting operation from October to May. The nine bred dogs, organized fights and bet thousands of dollars, according to the indictment.
In the wake of the raid, the Humane Society of the United States has created a toll-free hot line to report animal fighting. The number is (877) 847-4787. Tipsters who provide information that leads to a conviction can earn $5,000. | Source: newsok.com - Jul 15, 2009
Update posted on Jul 16, 2009 - 11:16AM |
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