WASHINGTON D.C.
A federal jury convicted a Georgia resident on federal charges stemming from violations of the Animal Welfare Act, federal prosecutors announced Monday.
Kizzy Solomon, aka Kizzy Andrews, 44, of Camilla, was found guilty on June 22 of 15 counts of aiding and abetting the possession and training of dogs for purposes of an animal fighting venture
The conviction came following a two-day trial that began on June 21 in federal court.
Solomon is facing a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count and three years of supervised release.
Each defendant faces up to five years in prison and fines of $100,000 to $250,000, or both. Sentencing for certain defendants is scheduled for July 21-22.
“Dog fighting is an atrocious crime that often serves as a breeding ground for other illegal behavior,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary for the Middle District of Georgia. “Our office will vigorously prosecute individuals found abusing and using animals for illegal fighting and gambling.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, federal agents executed a search warrant at Solomon’s Camilla property on Sept. 12, 2018.
There they seized 27 pit bull-type dogs housed on chains, in poor living conditions. All but the puppies had scarring and injuries consistent with use in dogfighting.
Agents also seized a large amount of dogfighting equipment in plain view throughout the primary living spaces of the house.
Most notably, there was a large dog treadmill on which various dogs’ fighting histories, including whether they had perished during the fights, was written in print.
11 co-defendants previously entered guilty pleas to various offenses related to their participation in an animal fighting venture:
- Leslie Meyers aka Les Meyers, 44, of Tallahassee, Florida;
- Alonza Jordan, 48, of Americus, Georgia;
- Germany Brockington aka Rat and Gator, 34, of Ambrose, Georgia;
- Kevin Charles aka Trinidad, 45, of Jackson, Georgia;
- Maurice Glover, 48, of Douglas, Georgia;
- Orlando Johnson aka OJ and Juiceman, 35, of Americus, Georgia;
- Shadon Johnson, 37, of Fitzgerald, Georgia;
- Terry Driggers, 71, of Hoboken, Georgia;
- Starlin Morgan, 39, of Plains, Georgia;
- Kentre Gibson aka Gipp, 40, of Douglas, Georgia; and,
- Timothy White, 51, of Patterson, Georgia
Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of one to five years in prison and fines of $100,000 to $250,000, or both.
Sentencing for certain defendants is scheduled for July 21-July 22.