Published: July 09, 2009 10:35 am      

Dog fighting ring nipped

An eastern Oklahoma man has been arrested and transported to federal court in connection with an investigation of a brutal dog-fighting conspiracy.

Jerry L. Matlcok, 57, of Stillwell, was arrested on Wednesday near Welling in rural Cherokee County, said Eastern District of Oklahoma U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling.

“He is charged by indictment in the Eastern District with three felony counts, each punishable by a term of up to five years and a fine of not more than $250,000,” Sperling said.

Matlock is accused in count one of conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce to participate in a criminal dog-fighting enterprise, to sponsor an interstate animal fighting venture, and to buy, transport, deliver or receive a dog for purposes of an animal-fighting venture, according to Sperling.

“Counts two and three allege actual sponsorship or participation in an interstate animal fighting venture and transporting an animal for purposes of participation in animal fighting venture,” Sperling said.

During an initial appearance in federal court on Wednesday, Matlock waived his right to an identity hearing, Sperling said. Matlock was ordered released under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office on the condition that he report for a July 14 court appearance at the U. S. Eastern District of Texas federal courthouse in Tyler, he said.

Sperling noted the brutality of dog-fighting.

“In the darkest corners of modern America, brutal savagery lingers in despicable form,” Sperling said in a statement from his office in Muskogee.

“Dogs are encouraged to rip each other to shreds. The canine combatant gladiators suffer, sometimes horribly. Losing dogs are sometimes executed when they are to disabled be of further value. Wagering on and enjoying violent mayhem is reminiscent of a scaled-down Roman Coliseum and should be abhorrent in modern America.”

Sperling also pointed to recent arrests in other parts of the country.

He said 150 pit bull dogs were seized and five defendants were arrested in the St. Louis area with routinely and inhumanely abandoning, destroying or disposing of pit bulls who lost fights, performed weakly or were too injured to fight.

In Southern Illinois, four men are charged with conspiracy to commit illegal dog-fighting activities, he said.

In Eastern Texas, nine pit bulls were seized and nine men are charged with conspiracy to conduct an illegal animal fighting venture and to transport, sell, deliver or buy fighting animals, said Sperling.

He said law enforcement officers and agencies cooperating in arresting Matlock included special agents of the FBI, special agents with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Inspector General, Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers, and members of the sheriff’s departments in Cherokee and Adair counties.

Contact James Beaty at jbeaty@mcalesternews.com.