A Columbus man, Joel Brown, 37, has been arrested following the unsealing of a grand jury indictment. He faces charges related to illegal dog fighting, drug distribution, and firearm possession after a felony conviction.
Brown was taken into custody and appeared in federal court in Columbus. The 13-count indictment accuses him of keeping 11 pit bull-type dogs for fighting purposes in Franklin County. These dogs were rescued by Columbus Humane with assistance from the Columbus Division of Police. Authorities also seized tools and supplies typically associated with training dogs for fighting.
The indictment further alleges that Brown possessed a shotgun, various types of ammunition, and at least 50 grams of methamphetamine. The indictment was initially returned in December but was unsealed following Brown's arrest.
If convicted, Brown could face up to 40 years in prison on the drug charge and up to 15 years on the firearms charge. Each animal fighting charge carries a maximum penalty of five years per count. Federal law prohibits possessing, training, transporting, delivering, receiving, buying or selling animals intended for use in an animal fighting venture.
Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole Pakiz and Kevin W. Kelley along with Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman from the Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section are representing the government in this case. The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) alongside Columbus Humane.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.