Statesville Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Charges Involving Dog Fighting

A Statesville man has pleaded guilty to federal charges involving the breeding, training and sale of dogs for illegal dog fighting. 19-year-old Juelz Christopher Daniels entered the guilty plea in federal court Thursday. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina, Daniels pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Animal Welfare Act, possessing, training and selling fighting dogs, and advertising fighting dogs for sale on Facebook. The case was investigated by multiple agencies including several Hickory Metro departments.

Court documents indicate Daniels and co-defendant Reginald Lionel Goodson operated dog kennels and bred, trained and sold pit bull-type dogs for fighting from January 2021 through May of this year. Investigators say Daniels advertised dogs through Facebook groups dedicated to illegal dog fighting and sold animals to individuals he knew were using at least some of them in dog fights.

Search warrants executed at three residences associated with the defendants resulted in the rescue and seizure of 25 pit bull-type dogs, including puppies. Investigators also seized items and equipment associated with breeding and training dogs for fighting.

Daniels remains in federal custody. A sentencing date has not been set, and the charges against Goodson remain pending.

Story: Rob Eastwood-WHKY