Case Details

15 dogs found among cocaine, marijuana
Chiefland, FL (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Mar 8, 2006
County: Levy
Local Map: available
Disposition: Dismissed (Conditional)
Charges: Misdemeanor

Person of Interest: James Joseph Thompson

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

Case ID: 7782
Classification: Fighting
Animal: dog (pit-bull)
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A raid on a Fanning Springs residence conducted by the Levy County Drug Task Force last week resulted in the arrest of five people on charges of trafficking cocaine or maintaining a drug dwelling, while another group of people was arrested on the scene when they came there looking to buy drugs and got stung by undercover officers.

Investigators also say that animal cruelty charges may be filed in the case pending a review of 15 pit bulls that were found on the property, some with injuries indicating they may have been used in illegal dogfights.

Arriving at 6 a.m. on March 8, 2006, officers found five suspects asleep at the residence, and their search turned up a pill bottle containing crack cocaine and a small amount of marijuana packaged in individual bags. Continuing their search in the back yard, officers found a black bag in a washing machine that contained a large amount of powder cocaine, more marijuana, and a set of scales. The total amount of drugs found were 19.2 grams of crack cocaine, 180.2 grams (six-and-a-half ounces) of powder cocaine, and 15 grams of marijuana, reports show.

According to reports, officers then arrested:

*�James Joseph Thompson, 36, Fanning Springs, on felony charges of trafficking in cocaine and possession of marijuana, and a misdemeanor charge of maintaining a drug dwelling. Thompson was also out on $25,000 bond for a March 3, 2006 arrest for allegedly driving with a suspended license and fleeing from law officers. Court documents show that after his March 8 arrest Thompson's total bail was set at $280,000, although the felony marijuana charge was reduced to a misdemeanor when probable cause for a felony amount could not be shown by the State Attorney's Office.

*�Quindell Devon Thompson, 26, Archer, on a felony charge of trafficking cocaine. His bond was set at $75,000.

*�Cedric Lee Flanders, 25, Orange Park, on a felony charge of trafficking cocaine. His bond was set at $50,000.

*�Willie James Ward, 39, Tampa, on a felony charge of trafficking cocaine. His bond was set at $75,000.

*�Johnnie May Gray, 27, Fanning Springs, on a misdemeanor charge of maintaining a drug dwelling. Gray, who was said to be living there with James Thompson, had her bond set at $2,500.

After the five were arrested and taken jail, undercover officers remained at the house and conducted a reverse sting operation throughout the day and evening, arresting a number of suspects on felony charges of purchasing cocaine. Those allegedly caught in the sting included:

*�Tyne Marie Miller, 34, Trenton, arrested at 8:21 a.m.

*�Gilbert H. Snelson IV, 43, Old Town, arrested at 12:10 p.m.

*�Micheal Dennis McDonald, 46, Old Town, arrested at 1:10 p.m. McDonald was also charged with possession of a controlled substance when he showed officers a pill bottle containing pills that were identified as Schedule II narcotics.

*�James A. Suter, 34, Fanning Springs, arrested at 2:50 p.m.

*�Tammy L. McDonald, 39, Old Town, and Kyle McDonald, 23, Old Town, both arrested at 3:45 p.m.

*�Shari Kay Williams, 45, Old Town, arrested at 4:05 p.m.

*�Terra M. Osteen, 27, Cross City, arrested at 4:15 p.m.

*�Ruby Rutka, 41, Old Town, arrested at 6 p.m.

*�Kurt Phrampus, 37, Cedar Key, arrested at 8:30 p.m.

Additionally, the officers also found 15 pit bulls, including several puppies, while they were there and noticed some of them had injuries. Bastak said animal cruelty charges may be filed in the case pending further investigation. �We believe from what we observed that some of the injuries have the dogs looking like they had been made to fight,� Bastak said.

The captain added that some of the suspected stolen property they were looking for was found at the residence, and more goods they believe may be stolen that were found there have been catalogued, as investigators are sorting through them and trying to locate the rightful owners.

Case Updates

James Joseph Johnson was convicted of felony drug possession, fleeing from police, and resisting arrest on December 14, 2006. Animal Cruelty charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. Johnson was sentenced to two years in state prison, according to court records.
Source: Case # 06-CF137
Update posted on Feb 20, 2007 - 11:08PM 
A Fanning Springs man who is currently in jail awaiting trial on a charge of trafficking cocaine is now also facing 12 felony counts of animal cruelty after a veterinarian's examination of 15 pit bulls that were found at his house.

James Joseph Thompson, 36, was arrested April 10, 2006, at the Levy County Jail on the new charges, according to an arrest report that details the veterinarian's findings, which hold that the animals were pitted in fights for gaming purposes. The dogs were found when officers served the warrant that led to Thompson's arrest on drug charges. Reports show that several dogs were roaming free in Thompson's yard, and others were chained to trees and ground spikes with heavy gauge logging chains and cables.

Sgt. Scott Tummond reported that most of the animals were without food and water, and exhibited aggressive behavior toward officers and the other dogs. Levy County Animal Control took charge of the dogs and they were examined by a veterinarian. The doctor's report states that the 12 adult pit bulls and three pit bull puppies were �afflicted with various maladies including but not limited to: parasite infestation, malnutrition, anemia, untreated wounds, deformed limbs and wounds in various stages of healing including multiple scars consistent in her experience of animals used for fighting for gaming purposes.� The veterinarian also concluded that the dogs' wounds and scarring were not consistent with normal canine social behavior, and �the overall condition of these dogs is evidence of severe neglect and outright cruelty.� Because of the dogs' aggressive behavior it was also concluded that they were not safe candidates for adoption.

When the dogs were found, Thompson was one of five people arrested at the residence for allegedly trafficking in cocaine. Ten other people were arrested at Thompson's house that day for trying to buy drugs from an undercover officer after the initial arrests had been made, and officers reported finding a significant amount of stolen property at the residence as well. Thompson had also been arrested on March 3, 2006, for allegedly driving with a suspended license and fleeing from officers. Information posted by the state shows that Thompson served prison sentences in 1997-1998 and 2004 for similar traffic offenses and illegal drug crimes.
Source: Chiefland Citizen - April 19, 2006
Update posted on Apr 30, 2006 - 1:26AM 

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References

The Chiefland Citizen - March 22, 2006
The Chiefland Citizen - May 6, 2006

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