Two Georgia residents have been sentenced to prison after being convicted on dogfighting and drug distribution charges, according to a news release Tuesday from the Department of Justice.
Jarvis Lockett, 41, of Warner Robins was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to participate in a multistate dogfighting and cocaine trafficking ring, according to the release.
Co-defendant Christopher Raines, 51, of Talbotton was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to participate in an animal-fighting venture and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, according to the release. Raines also must pay a $10,000 fine.
“Lockett and Raines were conspirators in a criminal enterprise that profited from the suffering of both animal and human victims,” Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim said in the news release.
U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary of the Middle District of Georgia said the investigation began with Lockett.
“Federal, state and local law enforcement meticulously followed every lead, and their unwavering commitment to justice has put an end to a complex and deadly dog-fighting and drug distribution network,” Leary said in the release.
Peach County Sheriff Terry Deese said officials initially thought the investigation would involve “a handful of local people fighting dogs for sport. What started out as a local investigation soon turned into a complex investigation that included people from multiple states and all walks of life. It is impossible to comprehend just how cruel these dogs were being treated for the purpose of training them to kill. Our team rescued 168 pit bulls during the execution of the search warrants and not the first dog acted aggressively toward the officers. The dogs just wanted attention and love.”
According to court documents, law enforcement officials investigated a criminal organization involved in cocaine distribution and organized dogfighting based in Roberta, which extended into North Georgia, Florida and Alabama.
According to a 136-count federal indictment, 10 of the defendants were involved in a conspiracy between May 2019 and February 2020 to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of cocaine base. In addition, five of them were involved in a conspiracy to sponsor and exhibit dogs in a dogfight, and possess, train, transport, deliver and receive dogs for the purpose of dogfighting, federal prosecutors said in a previous news release.
The indictment outlined dogfights the defendants are alleged to have attended between May 2019 and February 2020, as well as discussions between the co-conspirators about training and matching up their dogs for fighting.
“Federal, state and local law enforcement meticulously followed every lead, and their unwavering commitment to justice has put an end to a complex and deadly dog-fighting and drug distribution network."
Besides Lockett and Raines, the defendants include Derrick Owens of Woodland; Armard Davis of Fort Valley; Jason Carter of Phenix City, Alabama; Shaquille Bentley of Roberta; Bryanna Holmes of Fort Valley; Vernon Vegas of Suwanee; Lekey Davis of Talbotton; Kathy Ann Whitfield of Columbus; and Rodrick Walton of Shiloh, according to a previous DOJ release.
