Sign: 21 People Indicted In ‘Deeply Disturbing’ Dogfighting Ring

Published: September 20, 2023 at 03:59 AM Author: PENNY EIMS

Indiana – On September 7, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana issued a press release announcing the indictment of 21 people involved in a “deeply disturbing” dogfighting ring that involved not only brutality to countless dogs forced into the ugly bloodsport, but a slew of other illegal activities, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and illegal possession of firearms.

On August 31, a multi-agency operation led to the arrest of 18 of the 21 individuals named in the indictment and the seizure of more than 40 firearms; quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine, dog fighting paraphernalia, over $55,000 in cash; and approximately 90 dogs.

The investigation began in 2022 when two men, Gregory Henderson Jr. and Ramiro Rico De Leon, were allegedly smuggling fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine into the United States from the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico. The men had ties with a gang that distributed drugs to Indianapolis and surrounding areas.

Over the course of the investigation, authorities determined that the drug smugglers had deep ties to organized dog fighting and gambling. US Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana Zachary Myers said:

“The allegations are deeply disturbing about the many dogs that were made to engage in these violent and horrific fights for the pleasure of and the gambling of the individuals who just lacked, allegedly, the humanity to see what was wrong in what they were doing and to choose to engage in that conduct again and again over a significant period of time.”

Officials seized 90 dogs and puppies from the dogfighting operation and the dogs were taken to a secure location for a behavior assessment.

If convicted, each defendant charged with conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture faces up to 5 years in federal prison. Each defendant charged with conspiracy to traffic controlled substances faces up to life. Please add your name to the petition to put each and every one of these individuals away for as long as possible!

We the undersigned demand that the 21 individuals named in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana press release face the maximum punishment allowable by law for the charges stemming from their involvement in dogfighting, drug trafficking, illegal gambling, and illegal gun possession. This petition acts as our collective endorsement for the maximum penalty allowed by law. 

TYRONE BELL, 52: Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
DAVID BENNETT, 40: Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine
EDWARD BRONAUGH, 57: Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture
JAMES CROONS, 34: Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture
RAMIRO RICO DE LEON, 31, Mexico: Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine; and Conspiracy to Engage in Money Laundering
ERICK FOSTER, 33: Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine
GREGORY EASTER, 35: Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine
LAUREN EGGERT, 32: Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine
MAURICE ERVIN, 44: Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture
DONTORIA GILBERT, 36: Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine
GREGORY HENDERSON, JR., 43: Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine; Conspiracy to Engage in Money Laundering; and Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture
MARVIN JOHNSON, JR., 46: Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture
LANDON JONES, 39: Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture
CHRISTOPHER NORFOLK, 48: Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture
CHARLES RICHARDSON, III, 43: Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture; and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
MICHAEL SANDERS, 45: Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture.
J.C. SMITH, 38: Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine
QUOSHAWN STEWART, 34: Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine
GEORGE TAYLOR, 44: Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine
DONOVAN TIPLER, 30: Conspiracy to Engage in an Animal Fighting Venture
OCTAVIO VICENCIO, 32: Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine

Of note: Law enforcement has asked the public for assistance in locating fugitive Gregory Henderson Jr. The FBI is providing a $5,000 reward for information leading to Henderson’s arrest. Those with information are asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or they can submit tips online at www.tips.fbi.gov

Individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.

News

United States Attorney’s Office Press Release

CNN

USA Today

Update 4/7/2025: Animal Victory sent petition to the Assistant United States Attorneys with updated signatures. 

Update 1/9/2025: 08/20/2024 ORDER granting 749 Motion to Continue Final Pre Trial and Trial as to RAMIRO RICO DE LEON (1), GREGORY HENDERSON, JR (2), OCTAVIO VICENCIO (3), ERICK FOSTER (4), GEORGE TAYLOR (5), J.C. SMITH (6), DONTORIA GILBERT (7), DAVID BENNETT (8), QUOSHAWN STEWART (11), CHRISTOPHER NORFOLK (12), MICHAEL SANDERS (14), JAMES CROONS (15), CHARLES RICHARDSON, III (16), LANDON JONES (17), EDWARD BRONAUGH (18), DONOVAN TIPLER (19), MARVIN JOHNSON, JR (20), TYRONE BELL (21), RYAN HICKS (22), BRENT HUTCHINSON (23), ROBERT HAMER, III (25), ERNEST YOUNG (26), WILLIE LEE (28) – The October 3, 2024, final pretrial conference, and the October 21, 2024, trial dates are vacated as to Defendants 1-8, 11-12, 14-23, 25-26, and 28. The final pretrial conference is rescheduled to commence on April 10, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. (ET); and the jury trial is rescheduled to commence on April 28, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. (ET) in Room 307, United States Courthouse, 46 E. Ohio Street, Indianapolis, IN as to Defendants 1-8, 11-12, 14-23, 25-26, and 28. SEE ORDER. Signed by Judge James R. Sweeney II on 8/20/2024. Electronic Notice to USPO.(JRB)

Update 12/8/2024: Animal Victory sent petition to the DA and Judge. 

Update 3/12/2024: There are 28 defendants in this case. The case is ongoing, and the last entry seen in Pacer is 03/08/2024 625 WAIVER OF INITIAL APPEARANCE, ARRAIGNMENT, AND EXECUTION OF WARRANT ON SUPERSEDING INDICTMENT by J.C. SMITH (6) (Bowes, Gregory) (Entered: 03/08/2024)

Update 10/16/23: Animal Victory sent petition to the DA and the Court. 

 

Prior Signatures 16,973