Four men, two from Albany, sentenced on federal dogfighting charges

ALBANY — Three area men, including two from Albany, will spend time in federal prison for their participation in running a regional dogfighting operation, federal officials have announced.

A fourth man will serve on probation in connection with the dogfighting ring.

A news release Friday from the U.S. Department of Justice stated that Demitri Jackson, 38, and William “J.B.” Burns, 42, were each sentenced to two years in prison for conspiracy to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture. The sentence was longer for Timothy “LO” Hopkins, 42, of Hiram, who was sentenced to 35 months in prison.

Arthur Lee “Bilbert” Clark, 42, of Sumner was sentenced to three years on probation.

According to the federal attorneys, the quartet operated a dogfight gambling enterprise in Albany called “229 Boys Kennels Inc.” from about April 2006 to April 2010, where they produced, promoted and participated in dogfight gambling shows throughout the Southeast, including parts of Georgia and Florida.

The four are accused of breeding, purchasing, selling and training American pit bull terriers for dogfight gambling. In addition, they bred the canine stock with dogs owned by, purchased from, and sold to individuals from other parts of Georgia, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina, the Justice officials stated.

The men advertised 229 Boys Kennels Inc. and promoted the prowess of their operation’s canine stock through online websites and publications and word of mouth, according to federal attorneys, in order to increase its value. When dogs could no longer fight efficiently, prosecutors said, the animals were exterminated by bludgeoning them in the heads with hammers, slamming them on the ground, and other inhumane methods.

“Dogfighting is a cruel and inhumane activity that should not be dignified with the term ‘sport,’” U.S. Attorney Michael Moore said in a statement Friday. “I fully support the significant sentences they received today, and my office will continue to vigorously prosecute such cases whenever they are brought to us.”

The four men sentenced Friday were arrested with three others, prosecutors said, after a four-year investigation conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Sylvester and Americus offices; the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General; the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; U.S. Marshals Service, and the Albany Police Department.

According to prosecutors, Hopkins and Clark pleaded guilty on Dec. 10, while Jackson and Burns entered guilty pleas on Jan. 20.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia C. Bowen prosecuted the case.