Florida man gets 7 years in prison for dogfighting conspiracy

Feb. 19 (UPI) -- The Department of Justice said Wednesday that Jose Miguel Carrillo of Spring Hill, Fla., was sentenced Tuesday to seven years in prison for a dogfighting conspiracy and being a felon in possession of a gun.

The DOJ, citing court filings, said in a statement, "Carrillo conspired with others to purchase, acquire, and breed dogs for use in dog fights. Carillo also staged dog fights at his home and traveled to dog fights in Massachusetts, Florida, and Connecticut."

Ten pit-bull-type dogs were seized during a June 2023 search of Carillo's home. Guns and ammunition were also seized.

"To its core, dog fighting is a cruel and criminal exploitation of animals for entertainment," the DOJ's Adam Gustafson said in a statement.

Also found during the search of Carillo's home according ot the DOJ were "dog fighting paraphernalia including a bloodstained dog fighting box, a skin stapler, syringes, and injectable veterinary medications."

Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida Sara C. Sweeney said in a statement, "Exploiting and endangering the welfare of animals for personal gain is cruel and abhorrent. Because of the hard work of our law enforcement partners, justice was served."

In December the DOJ reported that former Department of Defense Deputy Chief Frederick Douglass Moorefield, Jr. was sentenced to 18 months in prison for participating in a multi-state dogfighting conspiracy.

At the time he was charged with the dogfighting conspiracy Moorefield was Deputy Chief Information Officer for Command, Control and Communications for the Office of the Secretary of Defense.