29 malnourished pit bulls, drugs discovered
Surry, VA (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Sep 6, 2000
County: Surry
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Dismissed
Person of Interest: Benjamin Donald Butts
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
In September 1999, Surry County Virginia resident Benjamin Donald Butts, 39, was arrested for dogfighting and drugs. An air search for marijuana plantations uncovered 29 allegedly mangy, malnourished adult pit bulls and four puppies on Butts' property.
Charged with 33 counts of dogfighting, 33 cruelty counts, drug charges and a charge of carrying a gun as a convicted felon, on September 6, Butts confessed that he had organized dogfights and trained fighting dogs.
Surry County District Court Judge Larry Palmer, at request of prosecutor Gerald G. Poindexter, released Butts' 33 dogs back into his custody,
Case UpdatesAccording to court records, Benjamin Donald Butts was indicted by the grand jury on January 23, 2001 on the following charges: Engaging in dog fighting on premises, organized dog fighting, possession of firearm by convicted felon, and possession of marijuana.
One week later District Attorney Gerald Poindexter filed "nolle prosequi", an entry made on the record by which a prosecutor declares that he will proceed no further. Butts' dogs were returned to him, and no further action was taken.
According to social security death records, Butts died on February 16, 2007. The cause of death is unknown. | Source: Surry County Court Clerk
Update posted on Jul 26, 2007 - 2:01PM |
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