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Case #16397 Rating: 1.0 out of 5
Dog-fighting - 12 dogs seized
Tahlequah, OK (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Jul 8, 2009
County: Cherokee
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Jerry Ray Miller
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
A Tahlequah man pleaded guilty Wednesday in connection with a dog fighting operation at his residence in rural Cherokee County.
Jerry Ray Miller, 48, admitted to possessing animals for participation in an animal fighting venture, U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling said.
During the execution of search warrant at Miller's residence in July 2009, law enforcement officials found a dog fighting arena, scales used to weigh dogs, break sticks used to separate dogs during fights, medical supplies, muzzles, chains and treadmills used to train dogs for fighting.
They also seized 12 pit bull terriers.
Sperling said the warrant was part of a multi-state investigation which resulted in the arrest of about 30 people and the seizure of about 350 dogs in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Texas and Oklahoma.
Investigators pinpointed two dates in 2009 in which dog fights were held in a building on Miller's property which housed a dog fighting arena.
The indictment alleges that Miller conspired with others to promote and sponsor pit bull terriers in an animal fighting venture as well as possessing pit bull terriers for participation in an animal fighting venture.
The statutory range of punishment is up to five years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.
Case UpdatesA federal judge has sentenced a Tahlequah man to three years of probation for hosting dog fights on his property.
Prosecutors said Tuesday 48-year-old Jerry Miller must spend six months of his sentence on home detention and pay a $2,000 fine.
A federal grand jury indicted Miller in April and he pleaded guilty in May to possession of animals for participation in an animal fighting venture.
Prosecutors alleged that Miller hosted contract dog fights in a building on his Cherokee County property. Investigators say they found a dogfighting arena, scales to weigh the dogs and other items during a search of Miller's residence in 2009.
Law enforcement officers also seized 12 pit bull terriers.
Miller's attorney, Donn Baker, was in court Tuesday and didn't immediately return a call seeking comment. | Source: KTUL - Oct 19, 2010
Update posted on Oct 19, 2010 - 11:34PM |
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