Environmental Crimes Bulletin – July 2026

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The Environmental Crimes Bulletin is a monthly publication produced by the Environmental Crimes Section.

Leadership

Joseph Poux, Acting Chief

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (202) 532-3062

In This Issue:

• Cases by District/Circuit
• Trials
• Guilty Pleas
• Sentencings

Cases by District/Circuit

District/Circuit	Case Name	Conduct/Statute(s)
Northern District of Alabama	United States v. Carlton Lenard Adams	Dog Fighting; Animal Fighting Venture; Felon in Possession of a Firearm
Middle District of Georgia	United States v. Dun Terrius Bradford	Dog Fighting; Animal Fighting Venture
Southern District of Iowa	United States v. Wyatt C. Greenfield	Geese Killing; Migratory Bird Treaty Act
District of Massachusetts	United States v. Corey Elliott	Dog Fighting; Conspiracy
Western District of Missouri	United States v. Vinol Wilson	Dog fighting; Animal Welfare Act; Conspiracy; Felon in Possession of a Firearm
District of New Jersey	United States v. Andre Trott, et al.	Lead Paint Inspections; Conspiracy; Theft from Government Programs
	United States v. Michael Ingram, et al.
Eastern District of New York	United States v. Lihua Owen Ma	Turtle Trafficking; Lacey Act
	United States v. Kin Keung Ho
Eastern District of North Carolina	United States v. Andrew Simmons, et al.	Chemical Discharges; Clean Water Act, Tax Evasion
Southern District of Ohio	United States v. Mary Langoria	Animal Crush Videos; Conspiracy
	United States v. Nicholas Dryden, et al.
District of Puerto Rico	United States v. Edison Pérez-Collado, et al.	Bird trafficking; Migratory Bird Treaty Act
District of Rhode Island	United States v. Jose Rivera, et al.	Cockfighting; Animal Welfare Act; Animal Fighting Venture
Eastern District of Texas	United States v. Kristine M. Hicks	German Shepherd Sales; Wire Fraud
Northern District of Texas	United States v. Seafood Supply Co., L.P.	Seafood False Labeling; Lacey Act
Southern District of Texas	United States v. Jennifer Mayo	Poultry smuggling
Western District of Texas	United States v. Moises Alonso Gonzalez	Parrot Smuggling

Trials

United States v. Wyatt C. Greenfield

• No. 4:26-CR-00031 (Southern District of Iowa)
• AUSA Debra Mendenhall

On July 23, 2026, a judge convicted Wyatt C. Greenfield of violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act following a bench trial (16 U.S.C. §§ 703(a), 707(a)).

On March 3, 2026, Greenfield intentionally struck two Canada geese with his vehicle on a street in Ankeny, Iowa. Greenfield was driving his truck eastbound when he accelerated and swerved to strike a Canada goose in the westbound lane. He then swerved back to the eastbound lane to strike a second Canada goose.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office conducted the investigation.

Related Press Release: Huxley Man Convicted of Violating Migratory Bird Treaty Act

Guilty Pleas

United States v. Kristine M. Hicks

• No. 4:26-CR-00058 (Eastern District of Texas)
• AUSA Paul B. Morris

On July 1, 2026, Kristine Hicks pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges following an animal welfare investigation (18 U.S.C. § 1343).

Hicks was the sole owner and operator of an unlicensed dog breeding business called Giant German Shepherds in Hopkins County, Texas. Toward the end of December 2025, Hicks kept as many as 130 German shepherds on her property.

Authorities initiated the investigation after a video circulated on social media showing Hicks tying a German shepherd dog to a tree and shooting it three times to kill it. Authorities ultimately rescued 88 animals following the execution of search warrants in January 2026. These dogs were found in extremely poor condition, suffering from parasites and exposure to the elements.

Between June 2024 and December 2025, Hicks advertised her services through a website and Facebook account she controlled. When people inquired about the dogs she advertised for sale, she gave detailed statements promising the dogs were healthy, trained for specific services, and that they were pedigreed and registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC). However, instead of selling purebred, properly AKC-registered, healthy animals, Hicks mostly sold sick and diseased mixed-breed dogs. Soil from Hicks's property was contaminated with coccidia, an intestinal parasite. Hicks also created and fabricated false AKC documentation and greatly inflated the sales prices for the dogs, often by thousands of dollars above each animal's actual market value.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation.

Photo of German Shepherd dogs in cages on defendant's property included in filed Indictment

Related Press Release: Eastern District of Texas | Hopkins County woman guilty of federal charges related to an unlicensed breeding facility in the Eastern District of Texas | United States Department of Justice

United States v. Lihua Owen Ma

• No. 1:26-CR-00172 (Eastern District of New York)
• ECS Senior Trial Attorney Ryan Connors
• ECS Trial Attorney Rachel Roberts
• ECS Law Clerk Amanda Backer

On July 1, 2026, Lihua Owen Ma pleaded guilty to an Information charging one felony count of Lacey Act false labeling (16 U.S.C. §§ 3372(d)(1), 3373(d)(3)(A)).

Between May 2021 and May 2023, Ma shipped approximately 300 eastern box turtles from New York to Hong Kong. Ma falsely labeled at least 37 packages as containing "plastic animal toys." He did not possess any permits or submit customs declarations for the animals. The turtles are prized in the illegal pet trade with a market value between $500,000 and $650,000.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement conducted the investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

United States v. Vinol Wilson

• No. 4:25-CR-00172 (Western District of Missouri)
• Former ECS Trial Attorney Ethan Eddy
• ECS Trial Attorney Maia Foster
• AUSA Paul Becker
• AUSA David Barnes

On July 7, 2026, Vinol Wilson pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, conspiracy to violate the animal fighting provisions of the Animal Welfare Act and possessing and purchasing a dog for fighting purposes (18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1), 371; 7 U.S.C. §§ 2156(b) 2156(a)(1)). Sentencing is scheduled for November 10, 2026.

This case centers on "Mayhem Madness 2025," a "four card" dog fighting event that Wilson hosted on May 17, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. Individuals traveled with fighting dogs from multiple states to participate.

On May 20, 2025, while executing a search warrant at Wilson's residence, agents recovered 16 fighting dogs, four of whom were pregnant and soon thereafter gave birth to 31 puppies. Agents also recovered items used in dog fighting operations such as medications, syringes, a "slatmill" dog treadmill, and fighting dog pedigrees. Law enforcement also seized a 5.56mm pistol loaded and chambered with 29 rounds of ammunition from Adams.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and the Jackson County, Missouri, Drug Task Force conducted the investigation.

Related Press Release: Office of Public Affairs | Kansas City Man Pleads Guilty to Firearms and Dog Fighting Charges from Interstate "Mayhem Madness" Event | United States Department of Justice

United States v. Corey Elliott

• No. 1:26-CR-10176 (District of Massachusetts)
• AUSA Danial Bennett

On July 9, 2026, Corey Elliott pleaded guilty to conspiracy for participating in a multi-year dog fighting conspiracy that involved breeding, training, and fighting dogs, as well as illegal gambling activities (18 U.S.C. § 371). Sentencing is scheduled for October 7, 2026.

Between March 2018 and June 2023, Elliott and a co-conspirator operated "The No Name Gang," a dog fighting venture through which they possessed, bred, trained, and fought dogs for sport and profit. The defendant and his co-conspirator maintained a close partnership for several years. During that time, they communicated extensively about dog fighting activities, arranging fights, discussing outcomes, placing wagers and coordinating the acquisition, sale, and conditioning of dogs for fighting purposes.

Elliott was directly involved in organizing and hosting dog fighting events, including ones held at his residence in Carver, Massachusetts, where he helped to construct the kennel and fighting pits. Elliott killed dogs that did not perform as desired, disposed of deceased animals, and worked to conceal evidence of dog fighting activity. To do so he used coded language, concealed dogs from public view, and relocated dogs to avoid potential seizure.

In June 2023, investigators searched the co-conspirator's residence and seized multiple pit bull-type dogs. Law enforcement also found veterinary supplies and equipment associated with dog fighting. Analysis of seized electronic devices revealed numerous videos and communications related to dog fighting, including messages between Elliott and his co-conspirator spanning several years.

During a search of Elliott's residence in June 2025, authorities seized pit bull-type dogs from an outdoor kennel area. Several dogs exhibited scarring consistent with dog fighting. Agents also recovered dog pedigrees, harnesses, leashes, syringes, and veterinary medications, as well as equipment used to train and condition dogs.

The following agencies conducted the investigation:

U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General; Massachusetts State Police; Animal Rescue League of Boston Law Enforcement Division; Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service; U.S. Marshals Service; Maine State Police; New Hampshire State Police; Massachusetts Office of the State Auditor; Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; and the Acton, Boston, Carver and Hanson Police Departments.

Photo from press release of kennel on defendant's property

Related Press Release: District of Massachusetts | Carver Man Agrees to Plead Guilty to Federal Dogfighting Charge | United States Department of Justice

United States v. Mary Langoria

• No. 1:25-CR-00040 (Southern District of Ohio)
• ECS Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman

On July 15, 2026, Mary Langoria pleaded guilty to conspiring to create and distribute "animal crush" videos (18 U.S.C § 371). Sentencing is scheduled for November 3, 2026.

Langoria participated in online groups dedicated to creating and distributing videos depicting extreme violence and sexual abuse against monkeys. Making and sharing such videos violates the federal Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (18 U.S.C. § 48).

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation.

United States v. Kin Keung Ho

• No. 1:26-CR-00161 (Eastern District of New York)
• ECS Senior Trial Attorney Ryan Connors
• ECS Trial Attorney Rachel Roberts
• ECS Law Clerk Amanda Backer

On July 23, 2026, Kin Keung Ho pleaded guilty to one felony Lacey Act false labeling count (16 U.S.C. §§ 3372(d)(1), 3373(d)(3)(A)(i)).

Between June 2024 and November 2025, Ho illegally shipped more than 500 eastern box turtles, three-toed box turtles, and western box turtles worth more than $250,000 in the Asian pet trade. Ho labeled the packages as containing "crystal stones." He did not possess any of the required permits or submit the proper export declarations.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement conducted the investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Related Press Release: Two Chinese Nationals Plead Guilty to Trafficking Turtles to Hong Kong

Sentencings

United States v. Carlton Lenard Adams

• No. 2:24-CR-00122 (Northern District of Alabama)
• Former ECS Senior Trial Attorney Ethan Eddy
• AUSA Ryan Rummage
• ECS Paralegal Jillian Grubb

On July 2, 2026, the court ordered Carlton Lenard Adams to pay $548,449 in restitution, which represents the cost to care for 78 pit bull-type dogs rescued in this investigation. In May 2026, the court sentenced Adams to 120 months of incarceration, followed by three years of supervised release.

Adams pleaded guilty to four counts of possessing dogs for the purpose of participating in an animal fighting venture and two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (7 U.S.C. § 2156(b); 18 U.S.C. §§ 49, 922(g)(1)). One of the seized firearms is known as a "Street Sweeper" - a large-caliber automatic shotgun that is considered a "destructive device" rather than simply a firearm under federal law.

In September 2023, law enforcement seized 78 dogs, three firearms, and a large quantity of fentanyl at three residences used by Adams. The fentanyl is the subject of a related state prosecution. Prior to his detention on the charges in this case, Adams was suspected by local law enforcement of being a regionally significant leader in the Gangster Disciples drug trafficking and gang organization.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation.

United States v. Edison Pérez-Collado, et al.

• Nos. 3:25-CR-00503, 504 (District of Puerto Rico)
• AUSA Seth Erbe

On July 9, 2026, the court sentenced Edison Pérez-Collado to pay a $500 fine and complete a one-year term of probation. Pérez-Collado is one of five defendants who pleaded guilty for trafficking migratory songbirds. The final defendant, Héctor Rivera González, is scheduled for sentencing on August 7, 2026, after pleading guilty to violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 703, 707(b)(2)).

From May 2020 through April 2024, Ricardo Morales-Colón, Derline Cordero-Galloza, Ezequiel Muñiz-Salas, Pérez-Collado, and González captured migratory birds, offering them for sale to local customers and members of private internet chat groups. Among the species the defendants sold were Bahama pintail ducks, Northern pintail ducks, black-bellied whistling ducks, Eastern spot-billed ducks, blue-wing teal, Canadian geese, wood ducks; and white-crowned pigeons.

Morales-Colón, Derline Cordero-Galloza, Ezequiel Muñiz-Salas, and Pérez-Collado all pleaded guilty to conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 371). Cordero-Galloza was sentenced to pay a $500 fine and complete a two-year term of probation. Muniz-Salas and Morales Colon will each pay a $1,000 fine and complete a two-year term of probation.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement conducted the investigation.

United States v. Seafood Supply Co., L.P.

• No. 3:26-CR-00088 (Northern District of Texas)
• ECS Trial Attorney Christopher Hale
• AUSA Rene Hunter
• ECS Law Clerk Amanda Backer

On July 17, 2026, the court sentenced Seafood Supply Company, L.P. (SSC) to pay a $250,000 fine, complete a three-year term of probation, and implement an environmental compliance plan. SSC pleaded guilty to a two-count information charging the company with two Lacey Act false labeling violations (16 U.S.C. §§ 3372(d)(1), 3373(d)(3)(A)(i)).

SSC is a seafood wholesaler in Dallas, Texas. Between January 2020 and February 2022, the company sold Chilean salmon that it falsely labeled as more expensive salmon from Scotland, Norway, and Canada. The defendant used this fraudulent "country-of-origin" labeling scheme to generate illegal gains of approximately $200,000.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement conducted the investigation.

United States v. Nicholas Dryden, et al.

• No. 1:24-CR-00066 (Southern District of Ohio)
• ECS Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman
• AUSA Tim Oakley
• ECS Paralegal Chloe Harris

On July 21, 2026, the court sentenced Nicholas Dryden to 108 months of incarceration, followed by three years of supervised release. Co-defendant Giancarlo Morelli and Dryden conspired to create and distribute videos depicting the torture of monkeys (known as "animal crush" videos) (18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 48(a)(3)). Morelli was previously sentenced to serve 48 months' incarceration, 36 months' supervised release, and pay a $25,000 fine.

On multiple occasions, the defendants paid another individual to produce videos depicting the torture and abuse of monkeys. They also corresponded extensively with the person supplying them with the videos, providing feedback on the content and offering suggestions for future videos.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation.

Related Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/ohio-man-sentenced-108-months-prison-creating-and-distributing-videos-depicting-monkey

United States v. Jose Rivera, et al.

• No. 1:24-CR-00075 (District of Rhode Island)
• ECS Assistant Chief Stephen DaPonte
• ECS Senior Trial Attorney Gary Donner
• AUSA John McAdams
• ECS Paralegal Chloe Harris

On July 22, 2026, the court sentenced Luis Castillo to complete a two-year term of probation. Castillo pleaded guilty to violating the Animal Welfare Act by sponsoring and exhibiting roosters at an animal fighting venture (7 U.S.C. § 2156(a)(1)). Castillo and his co-defendants participated in a cockfighting operation.

On March 6, 2022, Miguel Delgado hosted a series of individual cockfights, known as "derbies," at his Providence home. Antonio Ledee Rivera and Onill Vasquez Lozada possessed roosters and entered them in the March 2022 derby. Antonio Rivera also had roosters he used for other fights. Gerdimez Kingsley Jamie, Jose Rivera, and Castillo sponsored and exhibited birds at the March 2022 derby. Jamie and Jose Rivera also bought and transported gaffs (razors attached to the legs of roosters) for use in an animal fighting venture. Lozada pleaded guilty and was sentenced in October 2025 to pay a $200 fine and complete a two-year term of probation. Antonio Rivera, Jamie, and Delgado are awaiting a trial date.

Jose Rivera is scheduled for sentencing on August 27, 2026. Rivera pleaded guilty to buying or transporting a gaff for use in an animal fighting venture (7 U.S.C. § 2156(d)).

The Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, the Postal Inspection Service, the Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigation, and the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals conducted the investigation.

The following agencies also assisted with the investigation: the U.S. Marshals Service; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Rhode Island State Police; Massachusetts State Police; Animal Rescue League of Boston's Law Enforcement Division; and the Providence, Woonsocket, and Attleboro, Massachusetts, Police Departments.

Related Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/massachusetts-man-sentenced-role-cockfighting-operation

United States v. Andre Trott, et al.; United States v. Michael Ingram, et al.

• Nos. 3:23-CR-00977, 00978; 3:24-CR-001153, 25-CR-00584, 3:26-CR-00070 (District of New Jersey)
• AUSA Eric Boden
• AUSA Eric Suggs

On July 14, 2026, the court sentenced Andre Trott to complete a three-year term of probation and pay $52,554 in restitution to the city of Trenton, New Jersey. Trott pleaded guilty to conspiracy related to theft from government funded programs (18 U.S.C. § 371).

On July 28 and July 29, 2026, related defendants Michael Ingram, William Kreiss, and Meraj Sirtajuddin Fatima were each sentenced to complete 12 months' probation and pay restitution to the city of Trenton. Ingram will pay $22,145, Kreiss will pay $32,806, and Fatima will pay $32,524.

Co-defendant Martin Moore is scheduled for sentencing on September 29, 2026.

The defendants worked for Trenton's Bureau of Environmental Health (BEH). Moore was a supervisor and principal registered environmental health specialist (REHS) and Trott was a senior REHS. Ingram was a public health investigator and Kreiss and Fatima were also REHSs.

Moore and Trott conducted residential lead inspections between February 2018 and May 2022. They also delivered meals from April 2020 through May 2021. Ingram, Kreiss, and Fatima also performed lead inspections, reporting to Moore. Moore directed his subordinate employees to obtain payments from the city of Trenton for work they did not perform by fraudulently inflating their overtime hours for both lead inspections and meal deliveries. Moore also falsely reported overtime in excess of the time he spent on lead inspections and meal deliveries. As a result of these fraudulent overtime reports, Moore, Trott, Ingram, Kreiss, and Fatima were paid for overtime work that they did not perform.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation.

United States v. Moises Alonso Gonzalez

• No. 3:26-CR-00614 (Western District of Texas)
• AUSA Stanley M. Serwatka

On July 22, 2026, the court sentenced Moises Alonso Gonzalez to complete a three-year term of probation. Gonzalez pleaded guilty to one count of smuggling goods into the United States (18 U.S.C. § 545).

On February 10, 2025, Gonzalez attempted to smuggle 11 white-fronted Amazon parrots into the United States through the pedestrian lane of the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry in El Paso, Texas. After Gonzalez stated he had nothing to declare, customs officers noticed how gently he handled the blue water jug he was carrying. Officers opened the jug and found a bird inside. They also searched his duffel bag and found a box holding 10 more birds. All 11 were identified as white-fronted Amazon parrots, a species protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

Gonzalez admitted that another person paid him $225 to conceal and transport the parrots across the border.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted the investigation, with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

United States v. Jennifer Mayo

• No. 2:24-CR-00248 (Southern District of Texas)
• AUSA Tyler Joseph Foster
• AUSA Liesel LeCates Roscher

On July 23, 2026, the court sentenced Jennifer Mayo to 24 months' incarceration followed by two years of supervised release. Mayo pleaded guilty to smuggling Dong Tao chickens into the United States (18 U.S.C. § 545).

The investigation began in 2023 after authorities discovered Facebook messages in which Mayo discussed traveling to Southeast Asia to obtain Dong Tao chicken eggs. Between August and September 2023, Mayo smuggled 70 Dong Tao chicken eggs into the United States from Vietnam and Cambodia and failed to declare any of the eggs to Customs and Border Protection. Mayo attempted to hatch them at her home, but most died. Subsequent searches of Mayo's property by law enforcement confirmed she possessed multiple live Dong Tao chickens on her property. Due to the risk of the chickens spreading disease, they had to be euthanized.

Dong Tao chickens, also known as Dragon chickens, are a rare and expensive breed of chicken endemic to Southeast Asia. Originally from the village of Dong Tao in Vietnam, these chickens are known for their very large legs.

It is illegal to import poultry into the United States from regions affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza or regions where Newcastle disease exists in commercial poultry populations, unless specific conditions are met.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Texas Animal Health Commission and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service.

Related Press Release: Local woman sent to prison for unlawfully smuggling expensive poultry from Southeast Asia

United States v. Andrew Simmons, et al.

• Nos. 7:25-CR-00097, 7:24-CR-00104 (Eastern District of North Carolina)
• AUSA David Berak

On July 28, 2026, a court sentenced Andrew Simmons to 10 months' incarceration, followed by one year of supervised release, after pleading guilty to tax violations (26 U.S.C. § 7203). Simmons will also pay $112,193 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.

Simmons was the owner of American Distillation, Inc. (ADI), a chemical processing company that illegally discharged chemicals into the Cape Fear River over a four-year period. ADI pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Water Act (CWA) (33 U.S.C. §§ 1311, 1319(c)(2)(A)). The company is scheduled for sentencing on August 21, 2026.

ADI is a chemical processing company located beside the Cape Fear River that blends and markets industrial-grade ethyl alcohol. ADI regularly receives large quantities of tert-Butyl alcohol (TBOH), which it distills into a usable product. TBOH is a highly flammable, colorless, oily liquid with a sharp alcohol odor, and is designated as a pollutant under the CWA. During distillation, ADI created and stored byproducts and wastewater, including TBOH, in a 250,000-gallon storage tank known as Tank 14. ADI's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit requires the company to properly dispose of TBOH byproduct.

Barry Darnell White worked as a Production Manager for ADI. His responsibilities included overseeing the transfer of chemicals between tanks as well as monitoring the tanker trucks traveling in and out of ADI's facilities. White reported directly to ADI's corporate management. Between 2020 and 2024, White released approximately 2,500 gallons of liquid wastewater from Tank 14, during each event, five to six times per year. White connected a hose to Tank 14, which drained into a pipe connected to an outfall flowing directly to the river. White pleaded guilty to violating the CWA and was sentenced June 29, 2026, to eight months of home confinement as a condition of a two-year term of probation. He will also pay a $5,000 fine.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division and the EPA Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation.

United States v. Dun Terrius Bradford

• No. 1:24-CR-00031 (Middle District of Georgia)
• Former ECS Senior Trial Attorney Ethan Eddy
• AUSA Elicia Hargrove
• ECS Paralegal John Jones

On July 30, 2026, the court sentenced Dun Terrius Bradford to 120 months of incarceration, followed by five years of supervised release. In December 2025, Bradford was convicted on all 69 charged counts after a two-day bench trial. The court found him guilty of animal fighting venture violations, manufacturing and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine base, and possessing five firearms in furtherance of those offenses (7 U.S.C. § 2156; 18 U.S.C. §§ 49, 924; 21 U.S.C. § 841).

Authorities executed a search warrant at Bradford's 17-acre property in February 2024. They rescued 67 fighting dogs, and seized supplies and equipment used for training dogs to fight. They also found five firearms and evidence that Bradford manufactured crack cocaine in his kitchen.

The Department of Agriculture Office of the Inspector General and the Sherriff's Office in Mitchell County, Georgia, conducted the investigation, with assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshals Service.

Related Press Release: Office of Public Affairs | Southwest Georgia Man Sentenced on Federal Dog Fighting, Firearms, and Drug Trafficking Charges | United States Department of Justice

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