Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
Fredricus White, 38, and Cornelious Johnson, 41, from Panama City, Florida, have pleaded guilty to charges related to possessing fighting dogs. White also admitted to a charge of possessing firearms and ammunition as a previously convicted felon. This was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Court records reveal that White and Johnson were involved in a conspiracy to violate the Animal Welfare Act from 2018 through February 2024. They participated in organized dog fighting activities, which included breeding fighting dogs and gambling on illegal dog fights. In 2022, they were arrested in Georgia on state charges for participating in a dog fight. Following federal arrest warrants issued in February 2024 for this incident, authorities discovered two rural properties near Panama City where they continued their illegal activities. A search of White’s residence uncovered three firearms; he was prohibited from firearm possession due to prior felony convictions in 2009 and 2012.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “These defendants engaged in cruel and continued mistreatment of animals, but now they will find themselves locked in a cell for their crimes. I deeply appreciate the dedicated work of our state and federal law enforcement partners to dismantle this heinous enterprise of animal cruelty, which unsurprisingly often increases violence in the community."
The investigation was conducted jointly by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), United States Department of Agriculture Office of the Inspector General, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. The prosecution is being handled by attorneys from the Criminal Division of the Tallahassee office with support from the Environmental and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice. Assistant United States Attorney Meredith L. Steer is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
For further details or public court documents regarding this case, individuals can visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website or learn more about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for this district online.
