SAN JUAN, P.R. - On the day jury selection was set to start, Ehbrin Castro-Correa, a.k.a. “Chino," plead guilty to one count of animal abuse, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. Immigration and Customs Enforcement- Homeland Security Investigation (ICE-HSI) handled the investigation.
Castro-Correa was facing trial on two counts of knowingly and unlawfully possessing and training an animal for purposes of having the animal participate in an animal fighting venture and one count for attempting to transport an animal for the purpose of having the animal participate in an animal fighting venture, specifically from Puerto Rico to the Dominican Republic.
On Jan. 24, 2016, defendant used his cellphone to film his dog and another dog engaged in a brutal and bloody dogfight in Juncos. The video was discovered during a search of defendant’s cellphone at the Pan American dock when he attempted to transport six canines to the Dominican Republic for the purpose of dogfighting. The Dominican Republic is a notorious worldwide haven for dogfights. This discovery led to the execution of a search warrant at his residence, which resulted in the seizure of an additional 25 dogs, dogfighting training materials and instruments, and pharmaceuticals commonly used to condition dogs for dogfighting and treat their wounds.
“This is a bloody and brutal crime where dogs are trained and forced to tear each other apart for the amusement of sick and depraved individuals. It is important to inform the public that it is a violation of federal law to even attend a dogfight," said US Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. “The protection of animals is a priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico. Today’s guilty plea demonstrates that individuals who attempt to profit from animal abuse crimes will be investigated, prosecuted and punished accordingly."
As a result of the guilty plea, the defendant may be sentenced to a term of five (5) years in prison, a fine not to exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000.00), and/or a term of supervised release of not more than three (3) years. The sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Oct. 16, 2017 by the presiding judge, U.S. Senior District Judge Juan Pérez-Giménez. Assistant United States Attorney Scott H. Anderson is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
