A Texas man pleaded guilty to charges related to his role in organizing in what was described as a “major dogfighting event” in 2021.
According to court documents, Jesus Allen Stephens, of Waskom, Texas, organized and hosted a dogfighting event on family-owned property in Harrison County, Texas, on Nov. 13, 2021.
Prior to the event, Stephens announced a series of up to 14 matches and sent multiple individuals GPS coordinates to the property.
The fight included out-of-state participants.
Law enforcement personnel who disrupted the event found a dogfighting pit structure, a severely injured dog and other evidence. Several pit bull-type dogs were also found at Stephens’s residences in addition to items commonly used for dogfighting purposes, such as treadmills and heavy chains.
Stephens pleaded guilty to conspiracy, sponsoring and exhibiting a dog in a dogfight and possessing a dog for dogfighting purposes.
He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count.
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Chris Graham
