Monday, March 29, 2010

Oklahoma Man Guilty in Dogfighting Conspiracy

March 29, 2010 - TYLER, TX—U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced today that a 59-year-old Stilwell, Oklahoma man has pleaded guilty to federal dogfighting charges in the Eastern District of Texas.

JERRY L. MATLOCK pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in animal fighting today before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love.

According to information presented in court, on July 8, 2009, federal warrants were executed in Panola and Gregg counties for nine individuals involved in a dogfighting conspiracy. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on June 30, 2009, charging the defendants, including Matlock, with federal dogfighting crimes.

Matlock faces up to five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

This case is being investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG), the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard L. Moore is prosecuting this case in coordination with the Eastern District of Oklahoma and Western and Eastern Districts of Missouri.

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