Alleged blood sport breeders officially charged

[Marty]

Tucson,AZ,USA -- Posted: March 11, 2008 03:36 PM EDT

SWAT teams raided four homes late last month and arrested members of an allegedly powerful ring of breeders accused of raising pitt bulls for blood sport.

Now, three weeks later, the alleged breeders have officially been charged.

On Tuesday, February 19, officers raided one home in the city and three in the surrounding Pima County area. They found about 150 dogs - many baring the scars of dog fighting - more than 50 guns and thousands of dollars in cash.

Officers made six arrests, including a man authorities say is one of the top three fight dog breeders in the nation: Mahlon Patrick. The six were released hours later with orders not to return to the raided properties.

The prosecution has been building their case these past three weeks. And after an investigation that took nearly a year to lead to the arrests, the state has now offically indicted the suspects.

Mahlon Patrick is charged with two counts of dogfighting and 21 counts of animal cruelty. John Goodwin, with the Humane Society of the United States, says Patrick has been in the dog fighting business since the 70s. "[He] was known worldwide for two blood lines he originated. Two blood lines of fighting dogs. They go under the names Tombstone and Bolio," Goodwin said.

Goodwin adds, these dogs are highly sought after for their stamina and fighting skills, ranging in prices from the thousands to the tens of thousands of dollars.

"This world of dog fighting that so few people know very much about at all is really organized crime," Goodwin said.

Also charged is Terry "T.L." Williams. Goodwin says Williams ran the online registry for the operation. Now he's charged with one count of dogfighting and 24 counts of animal cruelty.

"All American Dog Registry was pit bull only," Goodwin tells us. "It wasn't the normal pit bull owners that were using them. It was dog fighters." Goodwin says dog fight breeders use the site to get the registration papers to prove the dog's bloodline.

There are four more players in this alleged ring. Robert Clayton Smith is charged with one count of dogfighting and 24 counts of animal cruelty.

Emily Dennis is charged with two counts of dogfighting and 21 counts of animal cruelty.

Juan Verdeen is charged with two counts of dogfighting, 11 counts of animal cruelty and 16 counts of failure to obtain licenses.

Zenaida Verdeen is charged with two counts of dogfighting, 11 counts of animal cruelty and 16 counts of failure to obtain licenses.

All told, that's 10 counts of dogfighting, 112 counts of animal cruelty and 32 licensing violations. The suspects are scheduled for arraignment on March 17.

Goodwin estimates there are about 40,000 people in the U.S. mixed-up in the world of dog fighting. He says the Humane Society rewards up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of anyone involved.

http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=7999499&nav=HMO6HMaY

[MinorThreat]

all these dogs will die and jail awaits many because of Goodwins lies and assumptions, pathetic

[Marty]

I'm so sorry to be posting this :(

It seems we can't win for losing!

[simms]

Goodwin estimates there are about 40,000 people in the U.S. mixed-up in the world of dog fighting. He says the Humane Society rewards up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of anyone involved. So I guess this where they are gonna account for the millions donated to them will go.

[MisanthropeKitty]

Tucson,AZ,USA -- Posted: March 11, 2008 03:36 PM EDT

Goodwin adds, these dogs are highly sought after for their stamina and fighting skills, ranging in prices from the thousands to the tens of thousands of dollars.

is this true or is it being hyped up by the media/police to make it more outrageous?

[Marty]

I think you need to read up on Goodwin... http://www.game-dog.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26959&highlight=Goodwin

Here's your answer :(

[MisanthropeKitty]

what a load of crap. i really wish there was something we could do to stop these monsters... but no one ever listens. :(

[kane85]

I'm so sorry to be posting this :(

It seems we can't win for losing!
So this means no more aadr no more shows and wight pulling? What's going to happen to all the clubs?

[bahamutt99]

That whole thing about ten thousand dollar "fight dogs" is so weird to me that I can't even think of an argument against it. The only people I ever see selling dogs for that much are the Muggleston, "pharaoh pit bull," ultimate blue BS fad people.

So this means no more aadr no more shows and wight pulling? What's going to happen to all the clubs?
And you notice they mention about the registry being "pit bulls only." In a letter to a member of another board who asked him about it, Goodwin mentioned that the AADR was "one of the top two registries for dog fighters" or something like that. So you can bet they're trying to find a way into the ADBA, too.

[kane85]

That whole thing about ten thousand dollar "fight dogs" is so weird to me that I can't even think of an argument against it. The only people I ever see selling dogs for that much are the Muggleston, "pharaoh pit bull," ultimate blue BS fad people.


And you notice they mention about the registry being "pit bulls only." In a letter to a member of another board who asked him about it, Goodwin mentioned that the AADR was "one of the top two registries for dog fighters" or something like that. So you can bet they're trying to find a way into the ADBA, too.
I bet the adba saw this coming a long time a go that's way they went all breeds to cover there ass what do you think?

[kinggatorpits]

The all breed thing might save em, but all it takes is for them to find one set of ADBA papers on a dog that has/had been "fought" and it's all over from there and you can bet that the rest of them will not be to far down on the list. This truly is a sad thing.

[GABulldog]

is it legal for them to shut down privately owned clubs like that? these clubs arent fighting dogs nor do they promote pit fighting, i dont think they can do shit about it...its a constitutional right. i mean if the KKK can hold thier own clubs why cant dog owners? i wonder...maybe someone more educated in the law could answer that.

[kane85]

is it legal for them to shut down privately owned clubs like that? these clubs arent fighting dogs nor do they promote pit fighting, i dont think they can do shit about it...its a constitutional right. i mean if the KKK can hold thier own clubs why cant dog owners? i wonder...maybe someone more educated in the law could answer that.
That's a good point shit they let the kkk get away witha lot of things even death threts

[GABulldog]

they might be able to put more strict regulations on them though, until eventually it wouldnt be worth it to function. thats what they do in situations like that, its BS how they get around your rights to get what they want.

[frenchie1936]

well, what next? so much for trying to be responsible owners and breeders eh? anytime someone even mentions game bred pit bulls we have to look over our shoulders? i'm movin to mexico dammit. i personally no longer have the stomach for this. i refuse to be subjected to this bullshit any more. :(

[Marty]

Update on this case...

http://www.explorernews.com/article/show/21673

A grand jury last week handed down indictments against six people arrested last month for their alleged involvement in dog fighting and breeding operations.

The Pima County Superior Court grand jury indicted Mahlon Thatcher Patrick and Emily Elizabeth Dennis, who bred pit bulls in Picture Rocks, on two counts of felony dog fighting and 21 counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals.

Southside residents Juan Rudolfo Verdin and his wife, Zenaida Yvonne Verdin, whom authorities suspect of training Patrick’s and Dennis’ pit bulls, were indicted on two counts of dog fighting, 10 counts of animal cruelty and 16 counts of failing to obtain licenses for their animals.

Two Avra Valley men, Robert Clayton Smith and Terry Williams, whom police also arrested in the Feb. 19 sweep, were indicted on two counts of dog fighting and 16 counts of animal cruelty. Authorities consider the men Patrick’s competitors.

In all, the six suspects face 69 charges.

In Arizona, dog fighting is a felony, the punishment for which is nine months to two years in prison and up to a $150,000 fine. Spectators at dogfights can receive similar punishment.

When fighting dogs are transported across state lines, federal penalties can result in up to three years behind bars and a $250,000 fine per offense.

The penalties in Arizona for those convicted of fighting and breeding fighting dogs rank among the toughest in the nation, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

During the Feb. 19 raids, investigators seized 150 pit bulls.

At Patrick’s kennel alone, investigators found 115 dogs, many of which, they said, showed telltale signs of fighting.

The Pima County Animal Care Center and other facilities will hold the seized pit bulls as evidence until the case concludes.

Prior to the Feb. 19 bust, Pima County was considered the “No. 1 exporter of fighting dogs in the country,” Humane Society spokeswoman Jenny Rose said.

Authorities say Patrick, Smith and Williams moved among the upper echelons of the country’s dog-fighting circles.

Smith and Williams run a Web site called All American Dog Registry, a space dedicated to pit bulls. The site registers the animals, and sanctions sporting events for the breed.

Authorities want to ensure that the six arrested in last month’s sweep “will never be able to operate something like this (fight dog kennels) again,” Sgt. Terry Parish, of the Pima County Sheriff’s Department’s Community Problems Unit, said last week. “We’re trying to eliminate it.”

Court dates have not been set for Patrick, Dennis and the Verdins, or for Smith and Williams, who were charged separately.

[Straightliner]

every one better just remeber were there dogs came down from .
one way or another your pretty pit came down from game bred dogs some where some how .

it is a shame

[Dr_jitsu]

I wonder how much Goodwin made off this event?

[raided2]

Well Marty it took an miracle for me to be able to log in ,I just want to say that the lead detective in this case blatanly lied to the grandjusr to get everyone indicted,She told the Grandjury that several under cover detectives witnessed the game test portion of the January 2008 AADR tucson show ,in wich dogs are forced to face each other and the one that shows the most agression wins:confused: Everyone now that at any sanctioned confermation show that any ones facing a dog is automaticly told to leave the park man how I have her in so many lies under oath ,di you all now they put false charges on me and tried to ilegally take my kids and ransome them for information? well it didn't work at any how I just wanted to say hello ,and thanks for having me I have a ton of stuff on the HSUS that will let you guys know what kinda stunts they try to pull please read the following linkshttp://www.activistcash.com/organization_overview.cfm/oid/136 also all the dogs that were euthanised had a court order of protection theHSUS and local law enforcement just put them down against a court order!

[simms]

Well Marty it took an miracle for me to be able to log in ,I just want to say that the lead detective in this case blatanly lied to the grandjusr to get everyone indicted,She told the Grandjury that several under cover detectives witnessed the game test portion of the January 2008 AADR tucson show ,in wich dogs are forced to face each other and the one that shows the most agression wins:confused: Everyone now that at any sanctioned confermation show that any ones facing a dog is automaticly told to leave the park man how I have her in so many lies under oath ,di you all now they put false charges on me and tried to ilegally take my kids and ransome them for information? well it didn't work at any how I just wanted to say hello ,and thanks for having me I have a ton of stuff on the HSUS that will let you guys know what kinda stunts they try to pull please read the following linkshttp://www.activistcash.com/organization_overview.cfm/oid/136 also all the dogs that were euthanised had a court order of protection theHSUS and local law enforcement just put them down against a court order!


I hope that this case will bring you justice and that the accusers are burnt at the steak for what they have done to you and your family and friends.

[raided2]

The times for this great breed has changed they are tightining the noose around our breed that has stood over a millineum of developments and selective crossbreeding to have the loyal faithfull companion we now have ,that doesn't care you race ,gender ,social status,your physicall imperfections,limitations,or finacial status,they are now undeservedly on the extinction list ! Also I have finally got some of the stuff that the Pima County Sheriffs took they claimed in the media all the guns were gained through illegal activities and means and that ATF backround checks would be done to confirm this,well they did and all the guns came back legal then the sheriffs didn't want to return them even after 2 court orders and 1 forced court order then they kept all the ammo and magazines that went to the firearms .also the State Prosecuter tried to take Pat Patricks zcourt apointed attorney away from him because he is doing such a great job of destroying the states accusations and now theHSUS is trying to get away , and regusing to witness aginst us,John Goodwin has been completley discredited and now will not use him to testify :eek:

[Marty]

raided2, glad you could make it ;)

Sorry your going through all this :(

[crazycooter]

The times for this great breed has changed they are tightining the noose around our breed that has stood over a millineum of developments and selective crossbreeding to have the loyal faithfull companion we now have ,that doesn't care you race ,gender ,social status,your physicall imperfections,limitations,or finacial status,they are now undeservedly on the extinction list ! Also I have finally got some of the stuff that the Pima County Sheriffs took they claimed in the media all the guns were gained through illegal activities and means and that ATF backround checks would be done to confirm this,well they did and all the guns came back legal then the sheriffs didn't want to return them even after 2 court orders and 1 forced court order then they kept all the ammo and magazines that went to the firearms .also the State Prosecuter tried to take Pat Patricks zcourt apointed attorney away from him because he is doing such a great job of destroying the states accusations and now theHSUS is trying to get away , and regusing to witness aginst us,John Goodwin has been completley discredited and now will not use him to testify :eek:

good to see there are still people out there willing to fight for what is theirs. hope all is well up north and you guys get what you can from them.

[JRSPITS]

When this case gets thrown out or they get found not guilty we need to do everything in our power to make this national news and not let it get swept under the rug.

Good luck, stay strong!

[raided2]

Well it looks like the local media want nothing to do with helping us out ,on numerous occasions ,the news reporters would show up @ my house to ask us about the latest charges ( false ones like the kiddy porn) before we even knew about the new indicment mt wife asked them who gave them tis information and they told us the county prosecutor did,also we live in a very rural area ,5 miles from the closest paved road,well now that I have proof of the lies on the Prosecutor and Pima County sheriffs and their money trail tracing back to the HSUS they won't talk to me I also found out through an inside source thathe media is working directly with the Prosecutor and the only reason they want to talk tome is to get information and anything I say they will try use against me in this case as of now the Prosecutor has nothing and is asking for a second time to delay the court date ,all of our attorneys said no to this,So I hope we can get the media to help ,but none of the local media seems willing to hear the truth right now!Also I have an eight page compulation of what they have done ilegally to my family the media has ignored it but the attorney general hasn't and has launched an investigation into Pima County Sheriffs

[Rocky H. Balboa]

Great to hear of the development Raided2!!!! The road is pumpy and full of pot holes but the end will bring you justice. Let us all hope there is still some justice in this country and all the guilty individuals receive what they deserve.

People that work in law enforcement have a higher expectation to follow the law.....therefore, their punishment should also be much higher.

I wish you and family the best!

[raided2]

thanks Rocky nad it is great to hear from you again ! Agin I can't stress enough how the HSUS has violated court orders as Patricks and B SMith's dogs all had court orders of protection the agrnda has been as I told evryone wrongfully arrested in jail on Febaury 19th was destroy the dogs !

[crazycooter]

anything we can do for you guys down here in cochise let us know

[Rocky H. Balboa]

anything we can do for you guys down here in cochise let us know

Raided2's family is going through hard time financially. The government agents have actively made sure Raided2's wife cannot get a job. Raided2 is disable and children are too young to work. This means they need donations to stay afloat. I believe Raided2 has setup a PAYPAL account for donations.

If I remember correctly, I am sure raided2 can provide us with it here.

[Hells Bells]

Wow so is the AADR still an active registry?

[raided2]

Ye sTL sold it to someone back East you would have to google up AADR there is new website and it will tell you who the new owners are .Also te PimaCounty Sheriffs tried to report my wife and I for fraud to departmnet of economic security and have our medical insurance my daughter and I are both type1 diabetics and are dependent on insulin pumps and the suplies have to be special ordered,we beat it but it is just some of the tricks that local law enforcement has picked up from the HSUS,Today I recived my first death threat it was a recorded womens voice ,saying over and over warning your life is expired due to my actions over and over then the other line rings so I answer it and it the same recording so I switch between the lines and you can hear the same recording.I called 011 and reported it and the Sheriff deputy starts asking me about my kids and my physicall condition,I confronted him and asked him what doe this have to do to what I am calling about and he gets real short and starts asking if I am the dogfighter!? I told hum I am charged with it and will more than likely have the charges dropped against my wife and I then he tells me that heres nothing they can do except report ,I told him that is all I wanted in the first place. Let me tell you folks the HSUS is on a rampage while out here in AZ they made 3 other huge bust sbut it didn't make the news like we did because it wasn't bulldogs on the other busts one was a alod 70 year old married couple and they had over 700 Chihuaus now they are trying to take their house,next it was a vetrinaerian who was rasing collies I believe ,then another persn who was breeding horses it made all the local media and of course the HSUS played off bieng the "Savior" of the animals well only thge Chiuaus survived the HSUS left its normal trail of dead animals I just wished I could get the media to listen to the truth!

[oliveah3158]

what is the truth?:confused:

[JuckingFerk]

Things like this happen to people when others point their fingers and shout foul. I hope to god that everyone gets what they deserve. I hope Raided and PP win their legal and civil cases. I also hope that other shit stirrers that point fingers with no proof get sued and have to pay out their ass for the rest of their lives.

Ferk out

[JuckingFerk]

what is the truth?:confused:

It doesnt matter what the truth is either. People will form their own opinion regardless. Some will act on it in an adult manner, some will do things that are more childish.

Ferk out

[raided2]

Thanks FJ and thank you for the scripture there the truth is if you have more than one dog or animal you are a target by the HSUS,who objective not to save animals or dopt them out please show me one rescue animal shelter that that the HSUS runs .The truth is I never conditioned dogs for the Patricks and all we have ever been is good friends,the truth is I did not only have Patrick ,dogs ,Garner or Jerr Wiseman dogs butt a few that had no papers or pedigrees to speak of but had a few rescue dogs the truth is when I started the Tucson chaptet of the Arizona dry heat show club for TL and B Smith back in 1997 and 1998 I tried to alert all forms of local media about the upcoming dog shows and none of them would give us the time of day,but when any dog bites or mauls someone it was automaticly a pitbull,now the media makes us out to be monsters. The Hsus gave all the local media a file picture that they had from someone else and another bust and portrayed as one our dogs ,it wasn't I knew all the People in the bust B Smith and Patricks dogs never even had a scracth on them neither did any of ours hell TL didn't even own a dog anymore and they charged him with dog fighting,how can that be? My dogs I heard from an inside source at the pound were al adopted out hell Diane Jessup stole several of my and Patricks dogs they did the tempermant test and they all passed except the miniture dachshunds ,which bit every time but they stll adopted out ,the truth is my wife attorney hired and inestigator and vetrinerian to go and take picture and look at the dog but the animal control officers would not let the vet,go back where they were under isolation,or let the investigator take a video camera only a digital camera,and they would not lethim in the kennel with the dogs only take pictures from the front of the kennel.Comeon now if my wife and I were so guilty why not show everyone how badly scarred up the dogs were and visciuos? Because they weren't please look up this thread and read it it is written by activcash an organization who monitors non-profit status groups http://www.activistcash.com/organization_overview.cfm/oid/136

[crazycooter]

i noticed that whenthis all went down like the vick case they had dogs pics everywhere. i don't remember seeing any pics of your guys dogs at all the same thing with the bust on the Chihuaus they showed there worst cage on the property. which no dog was useing and i think i only saw 1 or 2 of there dogs and of course it's the worst looking dogs they had vets saw there dogs and said they were good to go well accordeing to the hsus they werent

[KuttersKru]

what is the truth?:confused:The truth is that people point fingers, other people get the shaft, and when the smoke clears what's left is ruined lives and euthanized dogs

[raided2]

what is the truth?:confused: The truth is all the dogs had an court order of protection and were still euthanised,very few of the dogs involved in the raids here in AZ were not shown just had Files pictyres of chopped up dogs,thrown in the mix to confuse and tain the truth,the truth is I have now had death threats ,the Lead lying Detective blatantly lied,to the grandjury to get everyone indicted,thruth is the lead detective used my innocent childrena sbait and illegally took them from us to try and get information to coberate their lies,the truth is they tried twice to take Pat Patricks attorney away because they don't want to give him a real chance ,we meet all their rules and regulations they make up as they go then they change them to fit their agenda by the way Oliveah ,have you been following my around from board to board? Silly Rabbit Trix are for kids ,so you still ahve that sour look on your face when you heard the State will probablyy drop charges on me ? Please try and dry your eyes and have a nice day detective

[crazycooter]

what is the truth?:confused:

from what i have seen from your post you can't handle the truth:eek:
our government lies

[coolhandjean]

Raided, I am sorry this has happened to you. It's an outrage. I hope you win your case, and let's hope when you do, they don't just swept it under the carpet.

[JBlazeRx7]

Everybody needs to know about this! The truth is all those ppl need to get a life! I'm so sorry Raid that your goin thru this horrible event and i hope you get thru it all!

[chinasmom]

I looked up the article on the Chihauhau's that were confiscated and the owners, what happened to them. NOTHING... Saying it was more of a hoarder situation and no charges had been filed. They were selling them. Why were they not charged with something, dang. It was a clear case of cruelty and nothing was done to them. Oh yeah, they weren't APBT's. All this crap makes me very upset. It's like the law has 2 sets of rules they go by, depending on who you are and what kind of dog you have. I really hate all this for you raided2. Must really be tough.

[raided2]

People ,bulldog lovers just try and keep your yard clean to the best of your abilities and have all your paper work.liscenses,rabies certificates,clean water no excess waste,fresh clean food ,don't give up on this wonerfull ,miracle GOD given breed we have stick together and protect eahc other along with the Breed ,when you have a city council meeting for anything that has to do with the dogs organize a large round ip of pro doggers not just 1or 2 you need to have enough show up to raise an eyebrow and get some attention ,despite B Smith's and Patricks dislike for each other they put aside their diffrences and attended the Pima county Animal control advisory meetings along with my wife and I and tried to educate them about or breed ,the sad part there wasn't enough support and we became targets and were ultimatley Crucified ,if you all continue to hide and worry just about your yard and have a considerable amount of dogs you will be next all you folks need to stick your necks out together ! Do you think the HSUS would go and arrest more than 5 people at one time in one city,who say were doctors,lawyers ,teachers ,lawenforcement,Ministers and Preachers if everyone were to actaully band together .Please folks get involved I am going to post an e-mail of a young lady who isn't affraid to stick up for this breed and she can help you all organize a anti BSL whever you are she is a honest ,sincere,bulldog lover!webmaster@stop-bsl.com

[raided2]

what is the truth?:confused: How are doing my detective buddy kinda rude for you not to return my wifes call!Dectecrive D

[raided2]

oliveah 3158 aka brutus12 aka britishbulldog you have been outed I know you are grasping at straw here ands Peds onlline must be killing you not to be able to prosecute an innocent family but its okay silly rabbit see you in court !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D:D:D:D