Columbus man pleads guilty to federal dog fighting, drug charges
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A Columbus man arrested in connection to dog-fighting allegations and indicted on drug and gun charges in federal court has pleaded guilty.
According to federal prosecutors, Joel Brown, 38, admitted to possessing and training dogs for the purpose of fighting and for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it.
A 13-count indictment said Brown owned 11 pit bull-type dogs for fighting purposes. The dogs were rescued by Columbus Humane, which worked in conjunction with Columbus police. Authorities also recovered tools and supplies commonly used in the training and keeping of dogs for fighting.
Court documents also said the dogs were tied up with heavy tow chains attached to tire axels buried in the ground. The dogs were reportedly within eyesight of each other but housed just out of reach, a housing style typically used with organized dogfighting.
Additionally, one of Brown’s Facebook accounts included a video of a pit bull with visible scarring and running on a slat mill, a type of treadmill often associated with dogfighters.
Brown also reportedly possessed a shotgun with various types of ammunition, along with at least 52 grams of methamphetamine. Under federal law, it is illegal to possess, train, transport, deliver, receive, buy or sell animals intended for use in an animal fighting venture.
He faces maximum sentences of 55 years for the animal fighting charges – five years for each dog. Brown could also face an additional 40 years in prison on the drug charge. The weapons charge, which could have included a 15-year sentence, was dropped.
A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.