Tahlequah Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Animals for Dog Fighting

MUSKOGEE, OK—Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that JERRY RAY MILLER, age 48, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, pled guilty to Possession of Animals for Participation in an Animal Fighting Venture, in violation of Title 7, United States Code, Section 2156 and Title 18, United States Code, Section 49.

The charges arose from an investigation by the United States Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

On July 8, 2009 a federal search warrant was executed at MILLER’s residence in rural Cherokee County. The warrant was part of a coordinated multi-state investigation which resulted in the arrest of approximately 30 persons and the seizure of about 350 dogs in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Texas and Oklahoma.

The investigation of MILLER revealed that on January 17, 2009 and April 4, 2009, MILLER hosted contract dog fights in a red building located on his property. MILLER constructed and maintained a dog fighting arena in the building. During the July 2009 search warrant at MILLER’s residence, law enforcement officials discovered numerous items including the dog fighting arena, scales used to weigh dogs participating in the fights, break sticks used to separate dogs during the fights, medical supplies, muzzles, chains and treadmills used to train dogs for fighting. Law enforcement officials also located and seized 12 pit bull terriers.

MILLER was indicted in April 2010. The Indictment alleged that in 2009, MILLER conspired with others to promote and sponsor pit bull terriers in an animal fighting venture as well as possessing pit bull terriers for participation in an animal fighting venture.

The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the defendant’s guilty plea and ordered the completion of a presentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled following its completion. MILLER will remain on bond pending sentencing.

The statutory range of punishment is not more than five years' imprisonment and up to $250,000.00 in fines. A preliminary calculation of the sentencing guidelines predicts a term of six-12 months imprisonment.

Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Roberts represented the United States.