Drug investigation led cops to find dog fighting in Jones County. Suspect pleads guilty

A Jones County man has pleaded guilty to being responsible for dog fighting, according to Ocmulgee District Attorney T. Wright Barksdale.

Dan Thomas Cleveland Jr. was indicted on multiple dog fighting charges, as well as marijuana and gun possession and theft on June 8, 2023. His case was expected to go to trial, according to the Ocmulgee District Attorney’s Facebook page, but Cleveland pleaded guilty to one count of marijuana possession, one count of gun possession and one count of dog fighting instead.

Barksdale’s office requested that Cleveland serve 20 years in prison, but Superior Court Judge Terry Massey sentenced him Wednesday to serve 10 years and spend 10 years on probation, Barksdale told The Telegraph.

Cleveland was caught as part of a drug investigation, said Barksdale. He also said that investigator Barron Hall executed a search warrant and found roughly 20 dogs in Cleveland’s backyard.

“We found weighted vests, collars, medicines, two treadmills and other items consistent with dog fighting,” Barksdale told The Telegraph. “Some dogs showed signs of injury.”

He also said that Cleveland’s phone contained videos of dog fighting. However, it is unclear how long he bred dogs for fighting.

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