Tenth Federal Defendant in “Operation Bite Back” Dog Fighting Bust Sentenced

DAYTON, OH—Ten people facing federal charges in connection with a multi-state dog fighting operation have been sentenced in United States District Court here. The final defendant was sentenced on Friday.

Gregory G. Lockhart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray, and the heads of 22 other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies that participated in the year-long investigation announced the sentences.

Those charged and their sentences are:

Cornelius Burnett, who pleaded guilty August 7, 2007 to possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, conspiracy to sponsor and promote animal fighting, felon in possession of a firearm, was sentenced Dec. 11, 2007 to 36 months imprisonment.

Jerry Pounds, who pleaded guilty September 7, 2007 to conspiracy to sponsor and promote animal fighting, felon in possession of a firearm, and food stamp violations, was sentenced Friday, March 20, 2009 to 30 months imprisonment.

Malvin Cobler, Pleaded guilty on August 16, 2007 to possession with intent to distribute cocaine, food stamp violation. Sentenced to probation.

Larontay Bennett, Pleaded guilty on September 6, 2007 to possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, conspiracy to sponsor and promote animal fighting, illegal gambling, was sentenced January 14, 2008 to 60 months imprisonment.

Paul G. Pennington, Pleaded guilty December 4, 2007 to interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle, felon in possession of a firearm, food stamp violation, was sentenced to 32 days imprisonment.

Terry Kendrick, Pleaded guilty December 11, 2007 to felon in possession of a firearm, conspiracy to sponsor and promote animal fighting, illegal gambling, was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment.

Jack D. Glisson, Pleaded guilty on August 29, 2007 to conspiracy to sell and transport stolen vehicles in interstate commerce and interstate transportation of stolen vehicles, was sentenced on December 3, 2007 to 21 months in prison.

Jon E. Pollard, Pleaded guilty August 9, 2007 to conducting and illegal gambling business, was sentenced on November 19, 2007 to six months of home confinement as part of three years on probation.

Douglas Blackwell, Pleaded guilty August 13, 2007 to conspiracy to sponsor and promote animal fighting and conducting an illegal gambling business, was sentenced to three years probation.

William Pike, Jr., Convicted in a bench trial on October 19, 2007 of being a felon in possession of a firearm, was sentenced February 1, 2008 to 84 months imprisonment.

On March 24, 2007, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies shut down a massive dog fighting operation based in Southwest Ohio. This coordinated effort, referred to as “Operation Bite Back,” resulted in the arrest of 54 individuals on state and federal charges.

“This case revealed that dog fighting attracts other criminal activities, including drug trafficking, gun running, illegal gambling, food stamp violations, and stolen vehicles and property offenses,” Lockhart said. “The animals suffer unspeakable cruelty in dog fights and communities experience great harm in connection with other illegal acts committed as part of these dog fighting operations.”

Congress has passed tougher laws against dog-fighting activities since this case began.

Lockhart commended the law enforcement agencies involved in “Operation Bite Back” for their cooperative efforts in investigating these crimes. Those include the Human Society of the United States, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Ohio Department of Public Safety, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Tactical Crime Suppression Unit, Centerville Police Department, Dayton Police Department, Cincinnati Police Department, Miamisburg Police Department, Moraine Police Department, Kettering Police Department, German Township Police Department, Perry Township Police Department, Jackson Township Police Department, New Lebanon Police Department, and Trotwood Police Department, along with Hamilton and Montgomery County Prosecutors, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dwight Keller and William Schenck, who prosecuted the case.