U.S. Attorney Walt Wilkins announced Wednesday that 21 people were charged in three separate indictments for their invovlement in two cockfighting ventures operated in Lexington and Williamsburg Counties. Undercover officers attended eight cockfighting events in Lexington and Williamsburg counties during a thirteen month investigation.
The indictments allege that the following individuals operated an unlawful animal fighting venture and an illegal gambling business. Authorities also say they conspired to violate the Animal Welfare Act by staging or participating in cockfighting contests.
The following individuals were indicted on charges in Lexington County:
Nancy Elizabeth Dial, 52, of North
Sheri M. Hutto, 48, of Pelion
Wayne Hugh Hutto, 60, of Pelion
Michael Monroe Grooms, 54, of Gilbert
Michael T. Rodgers, 57, of Kingstree
Leslie Wayne Peeler, 41, of Gaffney
Jeffrey Brian Gibert, 38, of Ninety Six
Gerald Benfield, 57, of York
Johnny Junior Harrison, 35, of Aiken
John Carlton Thurman Hoover, 39, of Pelion
Coy Dale Robinson, 31, of Blackstock
Scott Edward Lawson, 41, of Laurens
Jimmie Jesse Hicks, 23, of Swansea
George William Kelly, 44, of Kershaw
The following individuals were indicted on charges in Williamsburg County:
Roy Wilson Braddock, 51, of Hollywood
Mary Durden Braddock, 55, of Hollywood
Jonathan Leviner, 38, of Sumter
David Earl Davis, 45, of Andrews
Buster Dale Moore, 61, of Andrews
Wade Timmons Mcgee, 34, of Scranton
Charles E. Allbritton, 66, of Mt. Pleasant
The maximum penalty for conspiracy, operating an unlawful animal fighting venture and operating an illegal gambling business is up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines on each charge.
The charges set forth in the indictments are accusations and all charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Being charged a violation of the Animal Welfare Act is serious and can lead to serious consequences. The criminal defense attorneys at Strom Law Firm, L.L.C. include a former United States Attorney, a former public defender, a former Assistant Attorney General and Richland County Assistant Solicitor, as well as a tax lawyer familiar with IRS criminal investigations. The Strom Law Firm aggressively defends individuals on all criminal charges in all State and Federal Courts in South Carolina as well as the Federal Courts in Georgia. Our lawyers proudly edit the Columbia, South Carolina Injury Board as well as the Strom Law Blog as a pro bono effort to provide the public valuable information. Our lawyers are licensed in: South Carolina, New York, and Georgia
