MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – An investigation focused on organized dog fighting and illegal gambling in the southeastern United States has resulted in 12 arrests and the seizure of 367 pit bulls, marking one of the largest and bloodiest crackdowns on these events.

Operation Details Federal, state, and local officials announced the arrests on Monday, following raids conducted on Friday at residences in Alabama and Georgia. During these operations, more than $500,000 in cash was confiscated, an amount which investigators believe was linked to illegal gambling on dog fights.

Federal prosecutor George Beck emphasized the gravity of the case in a press conference:

"I believe that if Dante were alive today and were to rewrite 'Inferno,' the deepest circles of hell would be reserved for those who commit cruelty against our animals and our children."

Charges and Legal Proceedings The accused face charges for conspiring to promote and sponsor dog fights, as well as for coordinating the presence of animals at fights that occurred in several counties in southern and eastern Alabama and in Holly Springs, Mississippi, between 2009 and 2013. In addition, most of them face charges for involvement in illegal gambling activities.

In an indictment presented by a federal grand jury in Opelika, one of the accused is alleged to have won $35,000 at a dog fight in Waverly (August 2011). Two other suspects were intercepted carrying $12,000 in cash after attending a dog fighting event at a bar in Macon County in February 2012.

Conditions at the Raid Locations During the operation, officials simultaneously executed search warrants in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. Coffee County Sheriff David Sutton explained that at a residence in Elba, dogs were found in deplorable conditions: several were covered in fleas and were secured with heavy chains attached to car axles buried in the ground. Authorities noted that some pit bulls were so malnourished that their ribs were clearly visible, while others had severe wounds requiring urgent medical attention.

Sutton stressed the importance of intervening in such cases:

"Those animals can’t speak like you and me. They bark and whine. We choose to speak for them, and I believe we have sent a message… If you commit the crime, we’re going to come after you."

Response from Animal Protection Organizations Both the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the Humane Society of the United States have taken custody of the seized animals, transferring them to undisclosed locations. While the case proceeds, these dogs will remain as evidence; however, the organizations are confident that, eventually, they will be rehabilitated and placed in new homes.

ASPCA Vice President Tim Rickey underscored that this operation represents one of the largest cases on record, comparing it even to the massive seizure of nearly 500 dogs that occurred in Missouri and surrounding states in 2009, widely known as "The Missouri 500."

List of the Accused and Ongoing Suspects Among those accused are:

• Donnie Anderson, 48, from Auburn

• Demontt Allen, 37, from Houston, Texas

• William Antone Edwards, 42, from Brantley

• William Oneil Edwards, 39, from Elba

• Robin Stinson, 40, from Elba

• Michael Martin, 54, from Auburn

• Lawrence Watford, 35, from Adel, Ga.

• Ricky Van Le, 24, from Biloxi, Miss.

• David Sellers, 52, from Opelika

• Sandy Brown, 47, from Brownsville

• Carlton Tippens, age not available, from Georgia

• Irkis Forest, age not available, from Theodore

Federal prosecutor Clark Morris, who coordinated the raids, indicated that other individuals have already been indicted and are currently being sought. During the press conference, the number of arrests gradually increased from 10 to 12 as authorities continued detaining more suspects.

Opinions and Theories: The "Raven" Case Parallel to the operation, various theories and opinions emerged in different media outlets. Several voices pointed to an individual known as "Raven," a pit bull delivery man, accusing him of being involved in the delivery of fighting dogs and suggesting that he might serve as a scapegoat. It is noted that, after having been arrested a few weeks earlier, some believe he may have turned himself in to secure a plea deal. Another theory suggests that undercover agents working in this business decided to intervene at that precise moment to minimize their own suspicions, causing the focus to shift to Raven. Additionally, a figure known as "Cyberbully" from Pedigree's Online was mentioned, although these allegations remain controversial and are met with distrust among certain circles.

Major Crackdown in the Southeast: 12 Arrests and 367 Pit Bulls Seized in Dog Fighting Operation 2015

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