Animal Abuse: 21 Charged - Dog-fighting - 141 pitbulls seized - Wetumka, OK

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Case ID: 2370

Classification: Fighting

Animal: dog (pit-bull)

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Case #2370 Rating: 2.9 out of 5

21 Charged - Dog-fighting - 141 pitbulls seized
Wetumka, OK (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, May 25, 2004
County: Hughes

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Convicted

Defendants/Suspects:
» LeShon Johnson
» Camille June Gann
» Lee Vicker Broom
» Jessie Martin Bunyard
» Jimmy Delozier
» Julius Dean Griffin
» Geri Lynn Huff
» Aaron Wayne Johnson
» Linda June Johnson
» Jon David McDaniel
» Michael Newbold
» Billie Rae Noon - Alleged
» Malik Emmanual Reyes
» Kenneth Wayne Roughface
» Michael Kam Sanders
» Herbert Lee Sarty
» Mark Anthony Smith
» Susie Ann Smith
» Ruby Standifer
» Steven Ray Standifer
» Robert Ervin Taylor
» Luther Edward Johnson, Jr. - Dismissed
» Brian McLain - Not Charged
» Shevetta Lee - Dismissed

Case Updates: 9 update(s) available

At least 141 pit bulldogs were seized from several Oklahoma locations in what authorities call the state's largest dog-fighting investigation ever.

State and local officers arrested 18 people in several counties for their alleged participation in dog fights staged in a blood-splattered greenhouse behind a Wetumka home. Officers were seeking to arrest others.

Among those arrested was LeShon Johnson, a former National Football League running back from Haskell.

Tuesday's dog-fighting bust also netted 23 guns, eight marijuana plants and five vehicles, said Mark Woodward, spokesman for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control. Drug sales and gambling were common at the fights, investigators said.

Many of the dogs - including all 28 seized from the home where the fighting occurred - were taken to the Oklahoma City animal shelter.

A Hughes County judge issued an order giving officers permission to do whatever is in the best interest of the confiscated dogs.

"Most likely 126 of the dogs will be killed because of the dogs' injuries or the dogs have been trained to fight and the liability of injury is too great," Woodward said. "That is sad."

At Camille Gann's home along U.S. 75 a mile south of Wetumka, numerous dogs were found chained outside the greenhouse. Their homes: Four-foot plastic barrels.

"It's sickening," said Jay Carroll of the Hughes County district attorney's drug task force. He's been investigating the operation for 17 months.

Criminal charges will be filed next week, said Linda Evans, Hughes County assistant district attorney. Likely charges for some suspects include conspiracy and racketeering, in addition to various dog-fighting counts and selling marijuana, she said.

Case Updates

According to court records, LeShon Johnson pled guilty to the following felony charges on December 20, 2005: One count of possessing dogs for the purpose of fighting, one count of encouraging dogs to fight, and one count of facilitating a dog fight. As part of a plea agreement, Johnson's sentence was deferred, and he was placed on 5 years probation. He was ordered to pay a $2,000.00 fine, $1,216.00 for court costs, and restitution in the amount of $5,000.00.

Source: Hughes County Case # CF-04-65
Update posted on May 23, 2007 - 12:51PM

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In a stunning turn around today, Judge George Butner sentenced dog fighting ring leader Camille Gann to seven years in prison as the operator of a dog fighting pit located in Hughes County, OK.

Gann, 53, was sentenced to 10 years, with three years suspended and was also sentenced to additional suspended time in the multi count case. She is not to possess any dog of any breed until the sentence has been completed. Gann will also have to pay around $9000 in fines and restitution.

Although Butner has been very lenient with other defendents in this case, this sentence signaled a strong statement against dog fighting and a strong statement on behalf of enforcement of anti-cruelty laws in Oklahoma.

Protesters were at the Hughes County Courthouse before 8 am this morning to be present for the sentencing. Signs and handouts urged the court to issue a strict sentence for Gann. Protestors noted that the sentence received by Gann was not particularly strict and is very much in line with normal sentences for this level of criminal activity, which included drugs and children being present at the dog fights.

Gann will begin serving her sentence immediately.

Update posted on Dec 27, 2005 - 2:27PM

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Camille Gann was convicted as the actual owner/ operator of the dog fighting pit in Hughes County that was the focus of a 17 month long investigation resulting in a multi county sting operation.

Gan will be sentenced on December 27th at the Hughes County Courthouse in Wewoka.

Animal advocates are asking people to be present at the sentencing if possible, or to remain outside of the courthouse when Gann enters the building. Despite the cruelty of the crime, and the fact that investigating this type of crime endangers the lives of the officers, some of the criminals are reportedly being treated like heroes by the courts.

Gann will be sentenced by Judge George Butner, who has obtained venue in the case. It was transferred to him instead of remaining under Judge Gregory Smith. Butner is reportedly very sympathetic to the dog fighters and refused this week to state why he has gotten venue in this case. Smith gave out normal sentences, Butner is doing the opposite.

Butner has given some of the equipment used in dog fighting back to the dogfighters. Two of them got their trucks back two weeks ago. He is also giving deferred sentences instead of suspended sentences, which means that instead of being convicted felons in this matter, once the deferred sentence is complete the dogfighter has no record. One of them plead and Butner, in fact, lowered the plea. Butner has basically ruled against the state, and for the dog fighters, at every opportunity.

On 10/14/05, Butner dismissed charges against Luther Johnson for impersonating a police officer after Johnson appeared at the courthouse in a marked police car, wearing a badge and said to officers that he is an officer. Judge Butner seemed to feel that the officers who then charged Johnson with impersonating an officer were harassing him. Luther Johnson, brother to former NFL player LeShon Johnson, is the co-owner of Krazyside Kennel, the fighting dog operation that was seized at Lake Eufaula.

Update posted on Dec 17, 2005 - 8:22AM

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After more than a year, the fate of more than 4-dozen pit bulls at the Tulsa City Animal Shelter is still in limbo. The dogs have been kept there ever since they were seized from an alleged dog-fighting operation.

Now protestors in Okmulgee County worry that one of the former suspects in the case might get them back.

Protestors lined up outside the Okmulgee County courthouse Wednesday to urge the District Attorney to take action on behalf of the dogs.

They're kept at the Tulsa shelter because that's the only place there's room for them. Authorities say they belonged to LeShon Johnson, a former NFL running back and Oklahoma high school star, who still faces dog fighting charges out of Hughes County.

The dogs were seized in McIntosh County at property belonging to his brother Luther Johnson, and Luther's girlfriend, Shevetta Lee. Protestors say the two were also charged but the charges were later dropped and now they say unless the DA files new charges, Lee could get the dogs back. Ruth Steinberger: "This is so outrageous that I just couldn't turn away from it."

But the Okmulgee County DA, who oversees McIntosh County as well, says there just isn't enough evidence against Shevetta Lee. He says while the dogs were found in his jurisdiction, the actual fighting is alleged to have taken place in Hughes County. So there's not much he can do. And considering that Hughes County has already dropped charges against Lee, it seems unlikely they would try filing new ones.

It's all very frustrating for the protestors who say investigators looked at Lee for a reason. Ruth Steinberger: "They didn't just go from a site in Hughes County and suddenly take a notion to drive around McIntosh County and find this, there's a reason they expected to find contraband there, and they did find it."

The News on 6 talked to the Hughes County District Attorney. She said they might still need the dogs as evidence and might challenge Lee's request to get them back. She also said a judge could decide they're still fighting dogs, which would mean nobody could have them.

Source: KOTV - Nov 30, 2005
Update posted on Nov 30, 2005 - 10:45PM

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An animal-rights group is urging McIntosh County prosecutors to take steps that could lead to the euthanasia of 50 dogs. The Humane Society of the United States wants criminal charges filed against the admitted owners of pit bull terriers seized during raids in July 2004.

The dogs have spent the last 16 months in the Tulsa animal shelter, but without a court order or the owners' permission, they can't be destroyed. And under Oklahoma law, a judge can't order the dogs' death until a potential criminal case is resolved.

That means Tulsa taxpayers will continue paying the cost of feeding and housing 50 dogs deemed unfit for return to civilization. At $5 a dog per day, that cost exceeds $126,250, shelter Director Larry Briggs said.

Ann Chynoweth, who heads the Humane Society's animal cruelty and fighting campaign, sees the irony in her organization's quest to have the dogs destroyed.

"It is a very sad fate," she said.

According to court testimony, the dogs belong to Luther Johnson, 39, of Haskell; his brother, LeShon Johnson, 34; and Luther's girlfriend, Shevetta Lee, 32. LeShon Johnson is a former NFL running back.

They were among more than 30 people charged last year in the biggest dogfighting investigation in Oklahoma history. Authorities seized 141 dogs in several locations. Most were destroyed, and most of those charged eventually pleaded guilty. A few received prison time.

Hughes County prosecutors contend Luther Johnson and Lee participated in dogfights staged in Wetumka. A judge dismissed charges against the pair earlier this year, saying the evidence wasn't sufficient enough to show that they committed a crime in that county.

LeShon Johnson still faces charges in Hughes County.

Chynoweth wants charges of possessing a fighting dog filed against Luther Johnson and Lee in McIntosh County, where the dogs were seized.

In a letter Monday to McIntosh County District Attorney Tom Giulioli, Chynoweth wrote that several calls by humane society members to Giulioli's office had gone unaddressed.

Chynoweth said she is concerned that the case "may be swept under the rug."

Giulioli didn't return calls to The Oklahoman Tuesday.

Briggs, the Tulsa shelter director, said the dogs, trained to kill, weren't adoptable upon their arrival. After 16 months of confinement, they're even more psychologically damaged, he said.

Another shelter employee said last year that other dogs were being destroyed because the pit bulls were taking up their pens. Briggs said Tuesday that's not the case.

"They're not displacing our adoption pens," he said.

Source: The Oklahoman - Nov 23, 2005
Update posted on Nov 23, 2005 - 2:29PM

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Oklahoma Statute, Title 21, Sections 1682 through 1699.2 makes dog fighting a felony and also makes it a felony to own, possess, keep or train dogs with the intent that the dog shall be used in fighting.

Below is a summary of the background of Oklahoma's largest dog fight case. Oklahoma animal advocates are deeply concerned over the fate of 54 of the dogs, that may be
returned to the cruel world of dogfighting unless the McIntosh County District Attorney files appropriate charges very soon.

The story began in late May, 2004, when over 20 people wanted in a dogfighting investigation, including former NFL player Leshon Johnson, were arrested and charged in Hughes County, according to articles in the Tulsa World on May 27, 2004 and the Daily Oklahoman on May 28, 2004. Charges included racketeering and conspiracy as well as dog fighting. An article from the Daily Oklahoman of June 2, 2004 puts the number of people charged at 21, and states that " the charges followed a 17 month investigation by state and local agencies " and described the case as the largest that state investigators had ever seen.

About 200 pit bulls dogs were confiscated in a series of raids in conjunction with this case. Some were euthanized soon after they were seized, but the ownership of over 50 of the dogs was difficult to determine. LaShon Johnson denied ownership of the dogs, although the dogs bore the brand that Johnson used to identify dogs belonging to him and his brother, Luther. Historically, it has been difficult to find shelters within Oklahoma that are equipped to keep, or have space to keep, pit bull dogs that may be impounded for many months until the state can successfully prosecute a dog fight case, and thereby cause the owner to forfeit the dogs. Owners can voluntarily release dogs, but LaShon Johnson, who was finally recognized as being owner of these 54 dogs, that concern us now, declined to do so. The Humane Society of the United States was instrumental in getting the municipal shelter in Tulsa to take the 54 dogs and donated $5,000 toward the care of the dogs.

By October, 2004, the Tulsa animal shelter had long since exhausted the funds received from the HSUS to care for the confiscated dogs they were keeping and some of us here in Oklahoma, began donating funds and dog food to help defray the ongoing cost of maintaining the dogs in the Tulsa shelter.

Last week, as the news leaked out that Luther Johnson and Shevetta Lee were now claiming ownership of the dogs which are still in the Tulsa shelter and that the McIntosh County District Attorney, Thomas Guilioli had declined to file charges against them for possession of dogs intended for fighting, activists in the state began circulating alerts asking humanitarians to call the office of Thomas Guilioli. Within two days after Oklahoma activists began circulating their alerts calling for advocates to call the DA's office in McIntosh office, the HSUS also issued an alert calling for animal advocates to contact Thomas Guilioli asking that charges of possessing dogs intended to fight, be filed against Luther Johnson and Shevetta Lee.

These dogs had been maintained in McIntosh County prior to being confiscated. Hence, it is the responsibility of the McIntosh County District Attorney, Thomas Giulioli, to see that charges are filed against Luther Johnson and Shevetta Lee for possession of dogs intended for fighting, which is a felony under the Oklahoma state law, since they are claiming ownership of the dogs. Without charges being filed, there is the very real possibility that a judge will soon release the dogs to Luther Johnson and Shevetta Lee and at that point, the dogs will be taken back into the cruel world of dog fighting, from which they came. Some concerned citizens of Oklahoma have phoned the office of District Attorney Thomas Giulioli in McIntosh County, 918-756-0794, during the past week, attempting to ask that charges be filed, but are being told that the case is being handled in some other county, which is absolutely incorrect. Faxes can be sent to the District Attorney Thomas Giulioli at 918-756-4712. Please keep the calls and faxes going to that office! Be polite, just firmly say that since the crime of keeping these particular dogs intended for fighting happened in McIntosh County, charges must be filed there, not in Tulsa County, not in Hughes County.

Pit bull dogs that exist in the cruel world of dogfighting suffer greatly. Pet dogs and cats, obtained by dog fighters as strays, stolen pets, or from "free to good homes" ads, for use as bait to train fighting dogs also suffer greatly and die a hideous death. And this is why we must raise an outcry against allowing the 54 dogs from the animal shelter in Tulsa to be returned to Luther Johnson and Shevetta Lee. Unless the District Attorney in McIntosh County will file charges of possession of fighting dogs against Luther Johnson and Shevetta Lee, that will happen.

Some of the individuals who were initially charged in this huge case, have gone through their trials and are now serving prison terms. Charges against former NFL player, LaShon Johnson (Luther Johnson's brother) are still pending.

Source: Oklahoma Humane Federation
Update posted on Nov 21, 2005 - 10:20PM

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Please join animal advocates in Okmulgee, Oklahoma in a peaceful demonstration to ask that District Attorney, Thomas Giulioli file charges against alleged dog fighter, LeShon Johnson, for 53 fighting dogs held at the Tulsa City Shelter.

Johnson faces charges in neighboring Hughes County for dog fighting. However, following the bust at a fighting pit located in Hughes County, 53 fighting pit bulls, hot iron branded with the "5" brand that is on the other dogs that Johnson is charged for, were seized in McIntosh County along with a methamphetamine lab.

McIntosh County is under the venue of Okmulgee County. Assistant DA for McIntosh County, Karen Volz, has refused to act on the dogs or drugs. This demonstration is to ask that senior DA, Giulioli supercede Volz, and file charges and also investigate the refusal by Volz to act. Volz has denied that the case is within her venue, despite the existence of the search warrant return that is filed with the court that reveals where the contraband was seized.

The demonstration will be at the office of Mr. Giulioli, 314 W. 7th Street, Okmulgee, OK on Wednesday, November 30, from 11 am till 2 pm.

Update posted on Nov 21, 2005 - 9:54PM

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A second judge tossed out racketeering charges Thursday in the case of a man accused of running a kennel of fighting pit bull terriers.

Prosecutors announced their intent to appeal the ruling involving Luther Johnson Jr.

Special Judge Gayla Arnold ruled that prosecutors didn't prove that Luther Johnson committed any crime in Hughes County, Assistant District Attorney Linda Evans said.

Evans contended that Johnson, 38, owned dogs that participated in staged fights inside a converted greenhouse in Wetumka. Arnold's ruling was similar to one made in December by another judge. Prosecutors appealed, and Arnold was assigned to hear more testimony.

More than 30 people have been charged in the largest dog-fighting investigation in state history.

Among them is Johnson's brother LeShon, a former NFL running back.

LeShon Johnson, 34, awaits a hearing similar to his brother's on Wednesday. He still faces charges of cruelty to animals and three dog-fighting charges. Prosecutors also want him ordered to face trial on racketeering and conspiracy charges, which carry a much stiffer sentence.

Evans said more than half of those charged have reached plea agreements.

More than 50 pit bull terriers seized in raids last year remain at the Tulsa Animal Shelter.

Prosecutors want to euthanize the dogs, which they claim belong to the Johnson brothers.

Luther Johnson's girlfriend, Shevetta Lee, filed an application Wednesday seeking return of the dogs, claiming they are hers, Evans said.

A judge dismissed all criminal charges against Lee in December.

Source: NewsOK - April 1, 2005
Update posted on Apr 1, 2005 - 10:32AM

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June 2, 2004 - Hughes County prosecutors filed racketeering and conspiracy charges against a former National Football League running back after a 17-month dog-fighting investigation.

Leshon Johnson, 33, was among 21 people charged in what investigators called the largest illegal dog-fighting operation they've ever uncovered.

The racketeering charge alleges Johnson was part of a continuing criminal enterprise since January 2003. Objectives of that enterprise included fighting pit bull terriers, gambling on the outcome of fights and selling drugs, the charges allege.

Update posted on Jun 7, 2004 - 12:34PM

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21 Charged - Dog-fighting - 141 pitbulls seizedWetumka, OK (US)

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21 Charged - Dog-fighting - 141 pitbulls seized
Wetumka, OK (US)