INDIANAPOLIS — Thirteen members of the “34th Street Gangster Disciples,” an armed drug trafficking, illegal gambling and dogfighting ring operating in Central Indiana since 2001, were recently sentenced in Indianapolis federal court.
In September 2023, 21 people were charged with drug trafficking and/or dogfighting charges. This comes after a raid at that time led to the seizure of more than 40 guns, drugs, more than $55,000 in cash and around 90 dogs.
’34th Street Gangster Disciples’: Officials detail Indianapolis dogfighting gang; search for 2 suspects
According to previous reports, a traffic stop in Mississippi led to the uncovering of the dogfighting enterprise after the driver, Edward Bronaugh, was transporting 11 pit bulls in various conditions. A review of Bronough’s cell phone revealed that the enterprise had been operating in the Indianapolis area since June 2001.
The following individuals were sentenced in the Indianapolis federal court:
- Charles Richardson III, 46
- Conspiracy to Engage in a Dog Fighting Venture; Exhibit Animal in Animal Fighting Venture; and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
- 3 years, 10 months’ imprisonment
- 3 years of supervised release
- Christopher Norfolk, 51
- Conspiracy to Engage in a Dog Fighting Venture
- Time Served
- Three years of supervised release
- Brent Hutchinson, 45
- Conspiracy to Engage in a Dog Fighting Venture; Exhibit Animal in Animal Fighting Venture (x2); Possession with Intent to Distribute 500 Grams or more of Cocaine
- 5 years, 6 months’ imprisonment
- 4 years of supervised release
- Daymond Mason, 51
- Conspiracy to Engage in a Dog Fighting Venture; Exhibit Animal in Animal Fighting Venture
- 2 years, 10 months’ imprisonment
- 2 years of supervised release
- Donovan Tipler, 33
- Conspiracy to Engage in a Dog Fighting Venture; Exhibit Animal in Animal Fighting Venture
- 8 months’ imprisonment
- 2 years of supervised release
- Edward Bronaugh, 60
- Conspiracy to Engage in a Dog Fighting Venture and Exhibit Animal in Animal Fighting Venture
- 3 years, 6 months’ imprisonment
- 2 years of supervised release
- James Croons, 37
- Conspiracy to Engage in a Dog Fighting Venture; Exhibit Animal in Animal Fighting Venture (x2)
- 8 months imprisonment
- 2 years of supervised release
- Marven Carswell, 73
- Conspiracy to Engage in a Dog Fighting Venture; Exhibit Animal in Animal Fighting Venture (x2
- Time Served
- 2 years of supervised release
- Marvin Johnson Jr., 49
- Conspiracy to Engage in a Dog Fighting Venture
- 8 months’ imprisonment
- 2 years of supervised release
- Maurice Ervin, 46
- Conspiracy to Engage in a Dog Fighting Venture; Exhibit Animal in Animal Fighting Venture (x4).
- 2 years’ imprisonment
- 3 years of supervised release
- Robert Hamer III, 43
- Conspiracy to Engage in a Dog Fighting Venture; Exhibit Animal in Animal Fighting Venture (x3); and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
- 5 years, 5 months’ imprisonment
- 2 years of supervised release
- Ryan Hicks. 39
- Conspiracy to Engage in a Dog Fighting Venture; Exhibit Animal in Animal Fighting Venture (x7); Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
- 5 years’ imprisonment
- 3 years of supervised release
- Willie Lee, 59
- Conspiracy to Engage in a Dog Fighting Venture
- 1 year, 9 months’ imprisonment
- 2 years of supervised release
According to the release, 10 defendants remain to be sentenced in this case. To date, more than 100 dogs have been rescued.
Court docs: Indianapolis dogfighting ‘enterprise’ operating since 2001
“These sentences mark a significant step toward securing justice against an escalating criminal threat. Dog fighting is not only an unspeakable cruelty; it also harms the communities where it occurs by fueling illegal gambling and often intersecting with other criminal activity,” Tom Wheeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, said in the release…