Two Men Indicted, Poor Conditions Uncovered During Anne Arundel County Dog Fighting Investigation

Poor conditions were reportedly found while the US Attorney's office investigated an alleged dog fighting ring in Anne Arundel County. 

In a statement, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron said that a federal grand jury returned a 10-count indictment last week charging Frederick Douglass Moorefield, Jr., age 62, of Arnold, and Mario Damon Flythe, age 49, of Glen Burnie, with conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture and other charges related to their alleged establishment and promotion of a dog fighting ring.  

According to the indictment, Moorefield and Flythe used encrypted messaging applications to communicate with individuals throughout the United States to discuss dogfighting.  Moorefield used the name “Geehad Kennels” and Flythe used the name “Razor Sharp Kennels” to identify their respective dogfighting operations. 

As alleged in the indictment, Moorefield, Flythe and their associates used the encrypted messaging applications to discuss dogfights, dogfighting, breeding fighting dogs, training techniques to maximize their chances of developing champion fighting dogs, and methods to avoid being caught by law enforcement, as well as to buy and sell veterinary supplies for use on fighting dogs, arrange and coordinate dogfights, and exchange information about wagers on dogfights. 

Further, the indictment alleges that between June 2022 and September 2023, the defendants unlawfully possessed, trained, delivered and received dogs to participate in an animal fighting venture and from February 2019 to September 2023 used the internet and text and instant-messaging applications to promote, manage and facilitate gambling related to the dogfights.  The indictment also seeks forfeiture of any proceeds derived from, or traceable to, the gambling enterprise.

“The mistreatment of animals for sport is among the lowest level of human conduct,” said Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland.  “Those who engage in this cruelty will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

During a search executed at a home in Arnold on September 6, 2023, agents seized several pit bull-type dogs of varying age, sex, and color. According to documents obtained by Report Annapolis News, agents also seized a section of a gray carpet with several dark stains on it. The stains were consistent with bloodstains from multiple dogfights, the indictment said. 

"Agents seized a weighted vest of a size that would fit a dog’s body," documents state. "Agents also seized a device consisting of jumper cables attached to an electrical plug. Substances that 

appear consistent with dog hair and blood were found on the ends of the jumper cables." 

To view the entire FBI indictment, click here. 

 If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each of the 10 counts charged in the indictment.  A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

***Any suspects/arrested/charged individuals and persons of interest named in the articles are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.***