Federal Raid on Indiana Dog Fighting Ring Recovers 90 Dogs and Leads to 21 Indictments

In a federal investigation into an animal fighting and illegal gambling operation, authorities have successfully recovered approximately 90 dogs, including puppies. The probe has resulted in the indictment of 21 individuals on various charges, including dog fighting, drug trafficking, illegal gambling, money laundering, and illegal firearm possession, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The accused individuals are associated with a neighborhood-based gang operating in Indianapolis, as confirmed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The discovery of this animal fighting and gambling ring occurred during an interstate drug smuggling investigation conducted last year. Law enforcement officials seized four phones, which provided evidence linking several of the accused to the dog fighting operation, according to recently unsealed court documents.

Zach Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, expressed his concern, stating that the allegations are “deeply disturbing.”

Last week, officials executed arrest and search warrants at 25 locations across central Indiana. As of Thursday, 18 individuals have been arrested, while two remain fugitives, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The investigation revealed that the animal operation extended across state lines, as bookkeeping documents showed records of pick-up and drop-off sites for dogs in multiple states, including New York, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Indiana.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture initiated the investigation in 2022 after the arrest of a 57-year-old man found with 11 pit bulls during a traffic stop in Madison, Mississippi. Animal control officers observed that two of the dogs displayed wounds and scars consistent with dog fighting. Subsequently, investigators traced the operation to “Roll and Hold Pet Express” in Indianapolis, discovering photos of injured dogs, videos of dog fights, fliers for fighting shows, and documents related to dogfighting.

The operation involved various roles, including those responsible for maintaining animals for fighting, referees, sponsors providing locations for the fights, and handlers motivating the dogs to fight.

Members of the indicted group have a lengthy history of involvement in dog fighting, with some individuals having prior convictions for animal torture and promoting dog fighting.

In the recent raids conducted last Thursday, law enforcement officers seized approximately 90 dogs, including puppies, from numerous locations. The dogs are currently undergoing behavior analysis at an undisclosed location to determine their adoptability. In previous cases, seized fighting dogs have been euthanized.

During the operations, federal agents also confiscated 43 firearms, over 500 grams of methamphetamine, 459 grams of heroin, 532 grams of fentanyl, and more than 660 grams of cocaine.

Of the 21 individuals implicated in the case, Gregory Henderson Jr. and Maurice Ervin are still at large, with the FBI offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to their arrest. Charges related to animal fighting conspiracy carry a maximum prison sentence of five years, while drug trafficking conspiracy charges can lead to a life sentence.