Georgia Man Arrested on Federal Dog Fighting, Firearms, and Drug Trafficking Charges

Dun Terrius Bradford, 53, of Sale City, Georgia, faces multiple federal charges, including dog fighting, according to DOJ.Photo byChewyonUnsplash

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced today that a federal grand jury has indicted Dun Terrius Bradford, 53, of Sale City, Georgia, on charges of dog fighting, drug trafficking, and illegal possession of firearms.

The indictment, unsealed by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia following Bradford's arrest, alleges he maintained 67 dogs for fighting purposes, manufactured and distributed cocaine base, and possessed five firearms in furtherance of these crimes.

Court documents reveal that Bradford housed the dogs at his residence, which also contained equipment used for dog fighting, including modified treadmills for training, injectable veterinary steroids, and a breeding stand designed for aggressive dogs.

Authorities also recovered additional tools and supplies, such as a home-made “breeding stand” used to immobilize female dogs too aggressive to mate naturally, and a "break stick" used to separate dogs during fights.

Following a search warrant, the 67 dogs were seized and will now be cared for by a program administered by the U.S. Marshals Service, according to DOJ.

If convicted, Bradford faces a maximum of five years in prison for each animal fighting charge, up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine for the cocaine charge, and up to 10 years for the firearms charge, which would be served consecutively to other convictions.

He could also be fined $250,000 for each count of dog fighting and firearms possession, according to the DOJ.

Notably, an indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.