Grand jury indicts Tahlequah man on dog fighting allegations
We got this press release from the U.S. Attorney’s office. I put the dog fighting part in red.
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – United States Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling announced today the results of the April 2010 Federal Grand Jury.
“The following named individuals have been charged with a federal crime or crimes by the return of an indictment by the Grand Jury. A grand jury Indictment does not constitute evidence of guilt. A grand jury Indictment is a method of bringing formal charges against the defendant. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and may not be found guilty unless evidence establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Statutory maximum punishments are in parentheses. United States Sentencing Guidelines may be considered, upon conviction, by the sentencing court. Federal prison sentences are non-parolable”.
GARY EUGENE THOMPSON, age 53, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
Felon in Possession of a Firearm
The Indictment alleges on or about February 8, 2010, the defendant, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, did knowingly possess in and affecting commerce, the following firearm, one High Standard model Double Nine, .22 caliber pistol. The charges arose from an investigation by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
The charges are in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1) (Not more than 10 years in prison and up to $250,000.00 in fines)
Assistant United States Attorney Shannon Henson
JERRY RAY MILLER, age 48, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
Conspiracy, Sponsoring or Exhibiting Animals for Participation in an Animal Fighting Venture, and Possession of Animals for Participation in an Animal Fighting Venture
The Indictment alleges in Count One that from at least on or about January 9, 2009 to on or about July 8, 2009, the defendant unlawfully, wilfully and knowingly conspired with others known and unknown to the Grand Jury to sponsor and exhibiting Pit Bull Terriers in an animal fighting venture. Count Two alleges that on or about January 17, 2009, the defendant knowingly sponsored and exhibited Pit Bull Terriers in an animal fighting venture. Count Three alleges that on or about July 9, 2009, the defendant was possessing Pit Bull Terriers for use in an animal fighting venture. The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General.
The charges are in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371, 49 and 2 and Title 7, United States Code, Section 2156. (Not more than 5 years in prison and up to $250,000.00 in fines)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
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