Five St. Louis men involved in dog fighting ring plead guilty
ST. LOUIS, MO—Four men pleaded guilty in federal court for their roles in a dog fighting conspiracy and selling dogs for fighting purposes. A fifth pleaded guilty last week.
According to the facts filed with the court at the time of the pleas, between January 2008 and June 2009, Michael Morgan, Robert Hackman, Teddy Kiriakidis, Ronald Creach and Jack Ruppel were involved in animal fighting ventures and dog fighting competitions.
They established and ran various kennel operations to purchase, breed, train, condition and develop Pit Bull Terriers for participation in the animal fighting ventures, Acting U.S. Attorney Michael W. Reap announced.
A fifth man pleaded guilty last week to the same charges in the Western District of Missouri.
Robert Hackman operated “Shake Rattle and Roll Kennel,” Jack Ruppel operated “Ozark Hillbillys Kennel,” Michael Morgan a/k/a “Missouri Mike” operated “Cannibal Kennel,” and Ronald Creach operated “Hard Goodbye Kennel.”
Each defendant admitted that they routinely inhumanely abandoned, destroyed and otherwise disposed of Pit Bull Terriers that lost fighting competitions, did not perform aggressively enough or that became injured, wounded or disabled as a result of participating in animal fighting ventures.
By pleading guilty, all defendants have agreed to forfeit to the government all of the animals, money, weapons, animal fighting paraphernalia, property and assets seized by law enforcement officials during their investigation.
The U.S. Attorney also filed motions seeking to take legal ownership of the dogs and place the animals in the care and custody of the Humane Society of Missouri. Under federal law, the government can take custody of any animals engaged in any animal fighting venture.
Each count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and or fines up to $250,000. Sentencing has been set for December 2, 2009, for each defendant.
Jack Ruppel of Eldon, Missouri, pleaded guilty Friday, September 4, before U.S. Magistrate Judge William A. Knox in Jefferson City, Missouri.
Related articles:
- Massive dog fighting ring busted in U.S. – 150 pit bulls seized
- 350 dogs rescued in U.S. 30 arrested in biggest dog-fighting bust
Posted by News Editor
on Sep 15 2009. Filed under U.S..
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