OHIO — A Columbus man has been arrested on federal charges related to dog fighting, drug distribution, and illegal firearm possession, authorities announced Thursday.
Joel Brown, 37, was taken into custody following the unsealing of a 13-count grand jury indictment. He is accused of keeping 11 pit bull-type dogs for fighting purposes in Franklin County.
The dogs were rescued by Columbus Humane, which worked alongside the Columbus Division of Police.
Investigators also recovered tools and supplies commonly associated with dog fighting.
Brown is also charged with possessing a shotgun and various types of ammunition despite a prior felony conviction.
Additionally, he allegedly had at least 50 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
If convicted, Brown faces up to 40 years in prison for the drug charge, a maximum of 15 years for the firearms offense, and up to five years per count for each of the 11 animal fighting charges.
Federal law prohibits the possession, training, transport, and sale of animals for fighting purposes.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicole Pakiz and Kevin W. Kelley, along with Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman of the Department of Justice’s Environmental Crimes Section. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Columbus Humane are leading the investigation.
An indictment is an allegation, and Brown is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
