Shon
05-23-2004, 01:19 AM
NEWTON - One man's loss is another's gain.
The Newton Police Department was awarded $28,298.02 from the U.S. Treasury last week for its role in the arrest of Christopher DeVito, a former Newton resident incarcerated for operating a pit-bull-fighting ring and laundering money. DeVito was sentenced more than a year ago, but as his assets are liquidated, the department is receiving 15 percent of the total amount.
The department has already received $64,271.62 in seized cash and the sale of a vehicle through the government's federal asset forfeiture program, which allows the federal government to seize any assets accumulated through the sale of drugs.
The most recent check came from the sale of DeVito's house at 37 Williamine Drive and more may be coming, according to Police Chief Larry Streeter, as it is believed DeVito owned a house in Florida as well.
"We're very fortunate to still be receiving asset forfeitures," said Streeter as he presented his proposal for expending the money to the Board of Selectmen.
Of the remaining $71,794.83 the department has received resulting from the arrest, Streeter asked the selectmen to approve $27,500 for several capital items that include patrol rifles, a copier machine, a new police-station alarm, sensitivity training and cruiser equipment.
The selectmen accepted the money and approved the expenses with little hesitation.
"Most of these things would probably have to be funded from tax money at some point," said Selectmen Chairman Stephen Cushing. "They are all basic necessities."
The new balance of $44,294.83 is expected to remain in the asset-forfeiture account as a nest egg and will eventually be used for capital-outlay expenditures not requiring a taxpayer initiative, according to Streeter's proposal.
DeVito was arrested on Jan. 15, 2002, when police raided his home and seized 43 pit bulls - many of which had scars, including one missing a tongue - that had been bred to take part in staged fights.
Police found on the property dog treadmills, a blood-stained fighting pit, steroids and other equipment consistent with training dogs to fight. Several of the dogs bore scars from fights; one dog was missing a portion of its tongue and another had two broken legs.
The dogs were euthanized in May of 2002 after it was determined they had been trained to fight and could not be rehabilitated and placed in homes.
DeVito pleaded guilty in June 2002 to 23 counts of animal cruelty for training pit bulls to fight each other. DeVito struck a plea bargain with prosecutors that dropped 15 of the counts of animal abuse.
Animal activists were outraged with the 1-3 year sentence and protested the ruling, saying DeVito deserved far more jail time.
DeVito is serving two-to-five years in state prison for operating the pit-bull ring and an additional three years in federal prison for money laundering, which will begin once the first prison term is complete.
The Newton Police Department was awarded $28,298.02 from the U.S. Treasury last week for its role in the arrest of Christopher DeVito, a former Newton resident incarcerated for operating a pit-bull-fighting ring and laundering money. DeVito was sentenced more than a year ago, but as his assets are liquidated, the department is receiving 15 percent of the total amount.
The department has already received $64,271.62 in seized cash and the sale of a vehicle through the government's federal asset forfeiture program, which allows the federal government to seize any assets accumulated through the sale of drugs.
The most recent check came from the sale of DeVito's house at 37 Williamine Drive and more may be coming, according to Police Chief Larry Streeter, as it is believed DeVito owned a house in Florida as well.
"We're very fortunate to still be receiving asset forfeitures," said Streeter as he presented his proposal for expending the money to the Board of Selectmen.
Of the remaining $71,794.83 the department has received resulting from the arrest, Streeter asked the selectmen to approve $27,500 for several capital items that include patrol rifles, a copier machine, a new police-station alarm, sensitivity training and cruiser equipment.
The selectmen accepted the money and approved the expenses with little hesitation.
"Most of these things would probably have to be funded from tax money at some point," said Selectmen Chairman Stephen Cushing. "They are all basic necessities."
The new balance of $44,294.83 is expected to remain in the asset-forfeiture account as a nest egg and will eventually be used for capital-outlay expenditures not requiring a taxpayer initiative, according to Streeter's proposal.
DeVito was arrested on Jan. 15, 2002, when police raided his home and seized 43 pit bulls - many of which had scars, including one missing a tongue - that had been bred to take part in staged fights.
Police found on the property dog treadmills, a blood-stained fighting pit, steroids and other equipment consistent with training dogs to fight. Several of the dogs bore scars from fights; one dog was missing a portion of its tongue and another had two broken legs.
The dogs were euthanized in May of 2002 after it was determined they had been trained to fight and could not be rehabilitated and placed in homes.
DeVito pleaded guilty in June 2002 to 23 counts of animal cruelty for training pit bulls to fight each other. DeVito struck a plea bargain with prosecutors that dropped 15 of the counts of animal abuse.
Animal activists were outraged with the 1-3 year sentence and protested the ruling, saying DeVito deserved far more jail time.
DeVito is serving two-to-five years in state prison for operating the pit-bull ring and an additional three years in federal prison for money laundering, which will begin once the first prison term is complete.