Dogs bred for hog-dog fighting - Independence, LA

Friday, May 12, 2006

County: Tangipahoa

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Dismissed (Conditional)

Person of Interest: Jacqueline F. Guerrera

Case Updates: 3 update(s) available

State Police confiscated 13 pit bull terriers on Friday and arrested an Independence woman suspected of breeding the dogs for illegal hog-dog fights, investigators said. State Police Gaming Division troopers believe Jackie Guerra, 52, of Independence allegedly bred the dogs for use in hog-dog fights, troopers said. In such fights, dogs are pitted against a hog, and the owner whose dog kills the hog first wins the purse, said Senior Trooper Dwight Robinette, spokesman for the Gaming Division.

When serving the search and arrest warrants on South Evans Road in Independence just before 8 a.m. Friday, troopers found treadmills, steroids, animal hides and other paraphernalia that points to breeding and training the dogs to fight, he said. A pound of marijuana and firearms were found, he said. Guerra was booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on 13 counts of animal cruelty, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm with illegal drugs, Robinette said.

The investigation is a spin-off of other animal-fighting arrests in Jefferson Parish, Robinette said.
Investigators from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office, Hammond Police Department, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and law enforcement in Jefferson and St. Charles parishes assisted in the investigation that led to Guerra's arrest, Robinette said.

Robinette said that no one area in Tangipahoa Parish has a particular problem with hog-dog fights but that the illegal sport is gaining in popularity among people interested in gambling on the outcome of animal fights. During the past 12 months, the State Police Gaming Division has arrested 120 people accused of animal cruelty, confiscated 678 fighting dogs and taken $25,000 in cash in connection with its statewide investigations into hog-dog fights, Robinette said.

Case Updates

According to court records, all 13 counts of animal cruelty have been dismissed against Jacqueline Guerrera, aka Jackie Guerra. On May 12, 2006, while serving search and arrest warrants on her property, state police confiscated 13 pit bull terriers, and reportedly found treadmills, steroids, animal hides and other paraphernalia that points to breeding and training dogs to fight. A pound of marijuana and firearms were also found. Guerrera was booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on 13 counts of animal cruelty, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm with illegal drugs. Investigators from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office, Hammond Police Department, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and law enforcement in Jefferson and St. Charles parishes assisted in the investigation that led to the arrest. On June 18, Jacqueline Guerrera pled guilty to a single felony count of drug possession. All other charges were dismissed as part of a plea bargain. The matter has been referred to the probation department for a pre-sentence investigation, and Guerrera is scheduled to be sentenced on September 14 at 8:30 a.m.

Source: Docket # 602064 Update posted on Jun 21, 2007 - 1:40PM

Jackie Guerra, aka Jaqueline Guerrera, appeared in court for a pre-trial conference on February 23. Guerra faces animal cruelty charges stemming from her alleged involvement in hog-dog fighting, as well as drugs and weapons charges. Trial is scheduled to begin on June 18, 2007 at 9:00 a.m.

Source: Docket # 602064 Update posted on Feb 26, 2007 - 12:54PM

Jackie Guerra, aka Jaqueline Guerrera, is scheduled to appear in court for a pre-trial conference on February 23, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. In addition to animal cruelty charges stemming from her alleged involvement in hog-dog fighting, Guerra faces drugs and weapons charges.

Source: Docket # 602064 Update posted on Feb 6, 2007 - 11:37PM

References

• 2theadvocate - May 12, 2006
• KATC3 - May 15, 2006

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