A Columbus man has been arrested following the unsealing of a grand jury indictment. The charges include illegal possession of dogs for fighting, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and illegal possession of a firearm after a felony conviction.
Joel Brown, 37, was taken into custody and appeared in federal court in Columbus. The 13-count indictment alleges that Brown kept 11 pit bull-type dogs for fighting purposes in Franklin County. These animals were rescued by Columbus Humane in collaboration with the Columbus Division of Police. Authorities also found tools and supplies typically used for training and maintaining dogs for fighting.
The indictment further claims that Brown possessed a shotgun, various types of ammunition, and at least 50 grams of methamphetamine. This indictment was returned in December but was only unsealed after Brown's arrest.
If convicted on all charges, Brown could face up to 40 years in prison for the drug charge and up to 15 years for the firearms charge. Each of the 11 animal fighting charges carries a maximum penalty of five years per count. Federal law prohibits possessing, training, transporting, delivering, receiving, buying or selling animals intended for use in an animal fighting venture.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole Pakiz and Kevin W. Kelley along with Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman from the Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) alongside Columbus Humane are conducting the investigation.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
