156 Dogs Rescued, 10 Men Arrested in Massive Dog Fighting Operation

Federal authorities rescued 156 dogs and arrested ten men accused of various charges ranging from fighting dogs, betting hundreds of thousands of dollars on dog fights, attending fights, and selling or distributing drugs in Onslow County, North Carolina on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The federal Animal Welfare Act makes it a felony punishable by up to five years in prison to fight dogs or to possess, train, sell, buy, deliver, receive or transport dogs intended for use in dog fighting.

The arrests included:

• Lewis Edmond Andrews Jr., 41, of Maple Hill was charged with conspiracy to violate the animal welfare act; conspiracy to possess with the intention to distribute cocaine, crack, and heroin; attending an animal fighting venture; possessing, training, transporting and delivering animals in an animal fighting venture; distributing 28 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of crack and cocaine; distributing a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of crack and cocaine; and distributing a quantity of heroin.
• Ronnie Jeremy Thompson, 39, of Jacksonville was charged with conspiracy to violate the animal welfare act; attending an animal fighting venture; sponsoring and exhibiting animals in an animal fighting venture; and possessing, training, transporting and delivering animals in an animal fighting venture.
• Mark Anthony West, 52, of Jacksonville was charged with conspiracy to violate the animal welfare act; distributing crack within 1,000 feet of Jacksonville High School; possessing, training, transporting and delivering animals in an animal fighting venture; and attending an animal fighting venture.
• Leo Chadwick, 63, of Hubert was charged with conspiracy to violate the animal welfare act; possessing, training, transporting and delivering animals in an animal fighting venture; and attending an animal fighting venture.
• Aaron “Jit” Richardson, 41, of Jacksonville was charged with conspiracy to violate the animal welfare act; attending an animal fighting venture; and possessing, training, transporting and delivering animals in an animal fighting venture.
• Cedric Gerard Cook, 38, of Fayetteville was charged with conspiracy to violate the animal welfare act and attending an animal fighting venture.
• James David Martin, 38, of Maple Hill was charged with conspiracy to violate the animal welfare act and attending an animal fighting venture.
• James Leslie Golden II, 46, of Ayden was charged with attending an animal fighting venture.
• Randall “Slim” Jacob James, 32, of Maple Hill was charged with conspiracy to possess with the intention to distribute cocaine, crack, and heroin; and distributing 28 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of crack and cocaine.
• William “Bo” Jay Farrior, 36, of Maple Hill was charged with conspiracy to possess with the intention to distribute cocaine, crack, and heroin; distributing 28 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of crack and cocaine; and distributing a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of crack and cocaine.

View the full federal indictment here:

When the men were arrested, search warrants were carried out on four different properties in Onslow County where dog fighting was suspected. In carrying out those warrants, authorities seized 156 dogs.

The dogs will be cared for by the ASPCA while the investigation is ongoing. The ASPCA will also be performing forensic examinations on the rescued dogs in an effort to understand what they may have endured.