11 People Indicted On Drug And Dog-Fighting Charges

Published: February 10, 2021 at 11:53 AM Author: PENNY EIMS

Georgia – Eleven people have been indicted for participating in an illegal dog-fighting operation, and drug-trafficking. The Department of Justice has identified the following individuals for being part of the illicit activity:

Jarvis Lockett, 40 of Warner Robins, Ga.
Derrick Owens, 37 of Woodland, Ga.
Christopher Raines, 50 of Talbotton, Ga.
Armard Davis, 41 of Fort Valley, Ga.
Jason Carter, 38 of Phenix City, Ala.
Shaquille Bentley, 26 of Roberta, Ga.
Bryanna Holmes, 24 of Fort Valley, Ga.
Vernon Vegas, 49 of Suwanee, Ga.
Lekey Davis, 45 of Talbotton, Ga.
Kathy Ann Whitfield, 61 of Columbus, Ga.
Rodrick Walton, 40 of Shiloh, Ga.

Dog fighting is a despicable activity and we want your signatures to help ensure that these people are put away for as long as possible! Please sign today to help convince court officials that these individuals deserve the maximum sentence available by law.

In a release, Peter D. Leary, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, commented on the drug/dog-fighting bust:

“Dog fighting is brutal and illegal; it is particularly troubling when combined with drug trafficking. We will investigate and prosecute individuals who engage in these criminal acts and seek justice for all of their victims.”

Individuals who participate in the dark underworld of dog-fighting do it for one reason – the love of money, at any cost. Dogs are forced to maim and kill, and if they fail in their mission, they are typically destroyed. Those involved in this bust are facing multiple federal charges. Jean Williams, Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, said:

“As this case demonstrates, we continue to aggressively prosecute dog fighters and those who work together to support and further their inhumane criminal activities.”

The indictment alleges that defendants Lockett, Owens, Raines, A. Davis, Carter, Bentley, Holmes, Vegas, L. Davis, and Whitfield were involved in a conspiracy between May 2019 and February 2020 to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of cocaine base. Lockett is charged in separate counts with distribution of cocaine base and cocaine, and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base and cocaine. A. Davis and Holmes are charged in separate counts with possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and cocaine. Walton is charged in a separate count with possession of cocaine.

The indictment further alleges that defendants Lockett, Owens, Raines, A. Davis, and Walton were involved in a conspiracy to sponsor and exhibit dogs in a dog fight, and possess, train, transport, deliver, and receive dogs for the purpose of having the dogs participate in a dog fight. The indictment outlines dog fights the defendants are alleged to have attended between May 2019 and February 2020, as well as discussions between the co-conspirators about training and matching up their dogs for fighting. In addition, the defendants are separately charged with possession of dogs for purposes of having the dogs participate in dog fights as follows: Lockett – 15 counts; Raines – 40 counts; Owens – 44 counts, Walton – 18 counts; A. Davis – nine counts.

We need your support to show court officials that we care about bringing dog-fighting to an end. These people must be put away for as long as possible!

Note: There is no information available about the current status of dogs who were part of this dog-fighting operation.

Individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Department of Justice News Release

Update 5/10/2022: Animal Victory has learned that this case was sealed as of May 9, 2022. It is unclear if we will be able to access the results of sentencing for the remaining defendants because this is a federal case. Jarvis Lockett, Derrick Owens, Christopher Raines, and Rodrick Walton have all been sentenced. Please see updates below for their individual sentences.

This is a huge victory for our campaign to stop dogfighting! All of the accused have been convicted and sentenced to long-term jail sentences. Thank you for signing the petition!

 Lockett, Jarvis: Sentenced to Imprisonment: 120 months to run concurrently with count 9 for a total of 120 months; Supervised Release: 3 years to run concurrently to count 9 for a total of 3 years. $100.00 Mandatory Assessment Fee & Imprisonment: 60 months to run concurrently with count 2 for a total of 120 months; Supervised Release: 3 years to run concurrently to count 2 for a total of 3 years. $100.00 Mandatory Assessment Fee.

Davis, Armand: Doesn’t go back to court until January of 2023

Owens, Derrick: Sentenced to Imprisonment: 120 months to run concurrently to count 9 for a total sentence of 120 months to be served consecutively to any term or imprisonment imposed in Talbot county Superior Court Case No. 11-CR-023 for violation of probation; Supervised Release: 5 Years to be served concurrently to count 9; Fine: $30,000.00; Mandatory Assessment Fee: $100.00 & Imprisonment: 60 months to run concurrently to count 1 for a total sentence of 120 months to be served consecutively to any term or imprisonment imposed in Talbot county Superior Court Case No. 11-CR-023 for violation of probation; Supervised Release: 3 years to be served concurrently with count 1; Mandatory Assessment Fee: $100.00

Raines, Christopher: Sentenced to Imprisonment: 135 months for Count 1 to run concurrently with 60 months for Count 9 for a total of 135 months. MAF: $100 for each count for a total of $200. Supervised Release: 5 yrs for Count 1 to run concurrently with 3 yrs for Count 9 for a total of 5 years. A fine of $5,000.00 for each count for a total fine of $10,000.00 to be paid immediately to USDC Clerk’s Office.

Rodrick, Walton: Imprisonment: 60 months for Count 9 to run concurrently with 135 months for Count 1 for a total of 135 months. MAF: $100 for each count for a total of $200. Supervised Release: 3 yrs for Count 9 to run concurrently with 5 yrs for Count 1 for a total of 5 years. A fine of $5,000.00 for each count for a total fine of $10,000.00 to be paid immediately to USDC Clerk’s Office.
He has pending charges of 7:2156(a)(1) and 18:49 and 7:2156(b) and 18:49 Conspiracy To Participate In An Animal Fighting Venture. He was also remanded to the custody of the US Marshalls.

Update 11/08/2021 – Animal Victory has received the following information about this case:

Lockett, Jarvis accepted a guilty plea on 10/07/2021, and his sentencing will be on 1/22/2022.

Davis, Armard does not have a new court date yet. His court-appointed attorney has been changed several times, including this morning (11/02/2021) since the 10/07/2021 court date.

Ownes, Derrick – awaiting details of sentencing.

Raines, Christopher- Court still set for 1/06/2022

Update 10/08/2021: Walton Rodrick, 07/19/2021, judgment as to RODRICK WALTON (11), Count(s) 110-127, Counts Dismissed on Government’s Motion; Count(s) 8, Count Dismissed on Government’s Motion; Count(s) 9, 24 Months Imprisonment; 3 Years Supervised Release; $100.00 Mandatory Assessment Fee Ordered by US DISTRICT JUDGE TILMAN E SELF, III on 7/19/2021. (tam) (Main Document 266 replaced on 7/21/2021) He is the only one who plead guilty and time served.

Update 4/23/2021: Today Animal Victory sent 15,885 signatures and comments to both Government attorneys, William Keyes and Banumathi Rangarajan, prosecuting the case. Read our letter here.

Animal-Protection-Laws-of-Georgia-2020-Animal-Legal-Defense-Fund (1)

Prior Signatures 16,275.