ARL Regulation Enforcement Division assisted in investigation resulting in conviction
The next is a press launch distributed by the U.S. Division of Justice, Workplace of Public Affairs
Jose Miguel Carrillo, of Spring Hill, Florida, was sentenced yesterday to 84 months in jail after pleading responsible to conspiring to violate the canine combating prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
In keeping with court docket filings, Carrillo conspired with others to buy, purchase, and breed canines to be used in canine fights. Carillo additionally staged canine fights at his house and traveled to canine fights in Massachusetts, Florida, and Connecticut.
A June 2023 search warrant was executed at Carrillo’s house and led to the seizure of 10 pit bull-type canines, most of which had been later adopted by new homeowners, in addition to a firearm and ammunition. Carrillo additionally possessed canine combating paraphernalia together with a bloodstained canine combating field, a pores and skin stapler, syringes, and injectable veterinary medicines.
“To its core, canine combating is a merciless and prison exploitation of animals for leisure,” mentioned Principal Deputy Assistant Legal professional Normal Adam Gustafson of the Justice Division’s Atmosphere and Pure Assets Division. “Right this moment’s sentence sends a robust deterrent message that the Justice Division will vigorously prosecute these instances.”
“Exploiting and endangering the welfare of animals for private achieve is merciless and abhorrent,” mentioned Appearing U.S. Legal professional Sara C. Sweeney for the Center District of Florida. “Due to the onerous work of our regulation enforcement companions, justice was served.”
“The Workplace of Inspector Normal is dedicated to working with all of our regulation enforcement and prosecutorial companions in pursuing people who select to take part in animal combating actions and have interaction in violations involving animal welfare, whereas additionally committing different critical offenses in our communities,” mentioned Particular Agent in Cost Charmeka Parker of the U.S. Division of Agriculture’s Workplace of Inspector Normal (USDA-OIG).
To report animal combating crimes, please contact your native regulation enforcement or the USDA-OIG’s grievance hotline at: usdaoig.oversight.gov/hotline or 1-800-424-9121.
The USDA-OIG; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Pasco County (Florida) Sheriff’s Workplace and the Fitchburg (Massachusetts) Police Division investigated the case. Help was supplied by the U.S. Marshals Service, Massachusetts State Police, New Hampshire State Police, Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Regulation Enforcement Division, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, Homeland Safety Investigations, and U.S. Customs and Border Safety.
Senior Trial Legal professional Matthew T. Morris of the Atmosphere and Pure Assets Division’s Environmental Crimes Part and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin Favorit and Tiffany Fields for the Center District of Florida prosecuted the case. Trial Legal professional Caitlyn Cook dinner of the Atmosphere and Pure Assets Division’s Wildlife and Marine Assets Part assisted with the switch of the seized canines to new homeowners.
