Dog fighting search warrant turns up more scarred dogs

SAN BERNARDINO – Authorities served a search warrant Wednesday at the home of Kevin Thomas, one of the 12 men arrested for dog fighting in the Antelope Valley this past weekend (see previous story).

Deputies recovered three more scarred pit bulls, as well as a female believed to be used for breeding additional fighting dogs. They also found two dog treadmills, several kennels and a harness used for weighing dogs prior to fighting.

The following is the press report from the Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau:

The dogfighting investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is continuing following the arrest of 12 suspects in [Antelope Valley] after a tip to the LA County 24-hour Dog Fighting Tipline 877-NO2FITE.

Felony dogfighting counts have been filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office against all 12 suspects arrested for dogfighting in Littlerock in the Antelope Valley on June 23, 2012.

The investigation continues, and on Wednesday, June 27, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. (LASD) Community Oriented Policing Services Bureau (COPS) deputies served a search warrant at the home of Kevin Thomas, who was one of the 12 suspects arrested in Littlerock on Saturday, June 23.

At his home in the 25800 Block of Pumalo Street, in the City of San Bernardino, LASD COPS deputies discovered four dogs.

Three Pit bull dogs were recovered who had scarring indicative of fighting, according to Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control officers who had traveled to the home with the deputies. Animal Control officers took custody of the three fighting dogs, as well as a female Pit Bull dog believed to be used for breeding additional fighting dogs.

Also recovered from the home were two treadmills which are used to train dogs and increase their stamina. Several kennels and a harness used to assist in weighing dogs prior to fighting were also recovered.

Suspect Kevin Thomas faces three felony charges and one misdemeanor charge related to dog fighting.

Since Saturday, nine of the suspects have bailed out of jail by posting bail of $20,000 each.

Suspect Paul Wilhite remains in custody in lieu of $100,000 bail, plus $199,000 in traffic warrants (mostly for driving on a suspended driver’s license).

Suspect Herman Ceasar is being held without bail due to a parole hold.

Suspect Jeremy Mark Anderson remains in custody in lieu of $20,000 bail and $40,000 in traffic warrants.

“We are going to follow this investigation wherever it takes us,” said Sheriff’s Lieutenant Larry Gregg, LASD COPS Team. “If you have information about dogfighting, call the LA County 24-hour Dog Fighting Tipline at 877-NO2FITE (877-662-3483) so we can put an end to this cruel crime.”

The LA County 24-hour Dog Fighting Tipline (877-NO2FITE or 877-662-3483) is funded in part by the Humane Society of the United States.

Up to $5,000 is offered for information that leads to an arrest or conviction of people engaging in the training or fighting of dogs. The identity of callers will remain confidential.

The faces of dog fighting

Authorities have released the booking photos of the 12 men arrested for dog fighting in the Antelope Valley on June 23.

1. Paul Manuel Wilhite, 48, Male, Black, Resident [of the house with dog fighting ring]
2. Kevin Benard Thomas, 46, Male, Black of San Bernardino
3. Adan Manzo, 36, Male, Hispanic of Palmdale
4. Jeffrey Reyes Tedtaotao, 36, Male, Other race of Bellflower
5. Cornelius Bailey, 58, Male, Black of Barstow
6. Cornelius Bailey III (son), 35, Male, Black of Compton
7. Theron Lee Mahone, 44, Male, Black of Los Angeles
8. Julio A. Chavez, 47, Male, Hispanic of Orange
9. Herman Ceasar, 62, Male, Hispanic of San Bernardino
10. Jeremy Maril Anderson, 43, Male, Black of Victorville
11. Miguel Angel Leon, 37, Male, Hispanic of Littlerock
12. George Allen Jones, 60, Male, Black of Lancaster