They operated a dogfighting venture in Md. DC, Va. & NJ.
Washington DC (KM) A Frederick man is one of four individuals who pleaded guilty to federal dogfighting and conspiracy charges in an interstate animal-fighting network across Maryland, Washington D-C, Virginia and New Jersey. Emmanuel Powe, 46, pleaded guilty on May 10th to one felony count of conspiracy to violate federal laws against animal-fighting.
The US Department of Justice says Powe and the other defendants participated in animal fighting ventures between April, 2013 and July, 2018, which included training, breeding and dogfighting setups.
Federal officials say one of the ventures included “two-card” dogfighting event on April 3rd, 2016. In that event, Powe and co-defendants Odell Anderson of Washington DC and Carlos Harvey of King George, Virginia, met up at Walmart parking lot in King George, Virginia, and traveled to another location for the fight, which involves two separate dogfights with different dogs and handlers. Powe, Chester Moody of Glenn Dale, Maryland, and Anderson took part in the event, where one dog died from injuries in the dog fight.
The US Department of Justice also says each of defendants maintained other fighting dogs at their residences, along with dogfighting equipment, including dog treadmills, “med kits,” ” breeding stands” to immobilize female dogs and chains weighing up to several pounds.
On July 18th, 2018, law enforcement officers executed a search and seizure warrant at Powe’s resident at 1219 Palladian Way in Frederick. They seized ten, pit bull-type dogs maintained for use in dog fighting and/or dog fighting ventures.
Each dogfighting charge carries a penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Anderson could face a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine for taking a minor to a dog fight.
No sentencing date has been scheduled. The Justice Department says the US District Court will determine sentence after considering US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
By Kevin McManus