Pentagon Official Pleads Guilty to Dogfighting Charges
Twelve dogs were rescued from this barbaric operation that has been going on for two decades.
Share Article
Update, September 16, 2024:
On Friday, Sept. 13, Frederick Moorefield Jr., a former Pentagon official, pleaded guilty opens in a new tabto conspiracy to engage in animal fighting (specifically dogs) and interstate travel in aid of racketeering. His defendant, Mario Flythe, pleaded guilty in July.
The dogfighting ring with which Moorefield is associated operated in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington. Investigators found that Moorefield had been keeping and training dogs in his Maryland home for more than 20 years.
In a statement releasedopens in a new tab at the time of Moorefield’s guilty plea, the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office said that at a dogfight sponsored by Moorefield, “the fight ended only when a dog died or when the owner forfeited the match — either through the dog quitting the fight or the owner ‘picking up’ the dog. In the event that one of Moorefield’s dogs lost a fight but did not die, Moorefield killed that dog. One method of killing employed by Moorefield involved the use of a device consisting of jumper cables connected directly to an ordinary plug. Moorefield plugged the device into a wall socket and attached the cables to the dog, electrocuting it.”
Moorefield faces up to five years in prison. Read the original story below for more information on this case.
Original publish date: October 4, 2023
The Department of Defense filed a criminal complaint charging a Pentagon official with dogfighting, according to records that the Department of Justice unsealed Monday night. Per a statementopens in a new tab from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maryland, Frederick Moorefield Jr., a deputy chief information officer for command, control and communications, was allegedly operating a dogfighting ring under the name “Geehad Kennels.”
He, along with another defendant, Mario Damon Flythe, a barber who is said to have used the name “Razor Sharp Kennels,” were reportedly using an encrypted messaging app to talk about dogs who had died from dogfighting, how to train dogs for the abhorrent practice, and to coordinate and bet on dogfights.
How to Help the Dogs Saved From the Largest Dog-Fighting Ring in South Carolina’s Historyopens in a new tab
Here’s here you can donate to help these pups — plus who to call if you know more information.
Per the affidavit prepared by FBI Special Agent Ryan C. Daly, Moorefield had been involved in dogfighting for about two decades, The New York Timesopens in a new tab. The Times reported that, per court records, Anne Arundel County Animal Control “responded in November 2018 to a report of two dead dogs found with wounds and scarring patterns consistent with dogfighting in a plastic bag about six miles from Mr. Moorefield’s house.” The plastic bag also reportedly contained mail addressed to Moorefield.
The press release also states that police “recovered veterinary steroids, training schedules, a carpet that appeared to be stained with blood, and a weighted dog vest with a patch reading ‘Geehad Kennels.’ In addition, law enforcement officers seized a device consisting of an electrical plug and jumper cables, which the affidavit alleges is consistent with devices used to execute dogs that lose dogfights.”
The Times reported that law enforcement also recovered 12 dogs after searching the defendants’ homes on September 6.
New Pet Parents: Beware The “Dog Daddy”opens in a new tab
Why the TikTok personality’s harmful tactics are just plain abuse, according to certified trainers.
As Kinship has reportedopens in a new tab, dogfighting is illegal in all 50 states, thanks to the Animal Welfare Actopens in a new tab. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean it’s not still a huge problem: The Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) estimates that “ more than 40,000 people participate in organized dogfighting in the U.S.opens in a new tab,” and The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) states thatopens in a new tab “[dogfighting[ continues to occur in every part of the country and in every type of community.”
Per the press release, if convicted, Moorefield and Flythe could face up to a maximum of five years “for possessing, training, or transporting animals for participation in an animal fighting venture.”
Hilary Weaver
Hilary Weaver is the senior editor at Kinship. She has previously been an editor at The Spruce Pets, ELLE, and The Cut. She was a staff writer at Vanity Fair from 2016 to 2019, and her work has been featured in Esquire, Refinery 29, BuzzFeed, Parade, and more. She lives with her herding pups, Georgie and Charlie.
Related articles
![Three doodles sitting outside in the grass.]()
opens in a new tabHow The Animal Pad Rescued 111 Doodles From a Backyard Breeder
Further proof that you can — and should — adopt rescued designer dogs.
![Man holding a dog in front of a light gray background]()
opens in a new tabYou’ve Adopted a Dog From a Hoarding Case. Now What?
Hundreds of dogs have been rescued from hoarding situations so far this year. Here’s what their adopters should know, according to animal welfare experts.
![A woman smiling with a dog at an animal rescue service event.]()
opens in a new tabAs Shelters Fill Up With Dogs, The Animal Pad Volunteers Roll Up Their Sleeves
The San Diego-based rescue’s 300 volunteers take saving Mexican street dogs as seriously as a full-time job (but have fun doing it).
![Smiling woman sits on the lawn with her dog in the city]()
opens in a new tabPlease, Oh Please, Stop Perpetuating the Dominance Dog Theory
The idea of being a dog’s “alpha” is a popular one — but it’s not an effective way to train.
![Operation Sidekick featuring Sebastian and his Pit Bull named Scottie.]()
opens in a new tabCheck Out These Organizations That Support Pittie Parents
Helpful options to ensure your Pit Bull receives the food, vet care, and training they deserve.
