ALBANY, GA. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Georgia, Middle), published as received.

ALBANY, Ga. – A federal jury convicted a Camilla, Georgia, resident on federal charges stemming from violations of the Animal Welfare Act.

Kizzy Solomon, a/k/a Kizzy Andrews, 44, of Camilla, was found guilty on Tuesday, June 22 of 15 counts of aiding and abetting the possession and training of dogs for purposes of an animal fighting venture following a two-day trial that began on Monday, June 21 in Albany federal court. Solomon is facing a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count, and three years of supervised release. Eleven co-defendants previously entered guilty pleas to various offenses related to their participation  in an animal fighting venture:

Leslie Meyers aka Les Meyers, 44, of Tallahassee, Florida;

Alonza Jordan, 48, of Americus, Georgia;

Germany Brockington aka Rat and Gator, 34, of Ambrose, Georgia;

Kevin Charles aka Trinidad, 45, of Jackson, Georgia;

Maurice Glover, 48, of Douglas, Georgia;

Orlando Johnson aka OJ and Juiceman, 35, of Americus, Georgia;

Shadon Johnson, 37, of Fitzgerald, Georgia;

Terry Driggers, 71, of Hoboken, Georgia;

Starlin Morgan, 39, of Plains, Georgia;

Kentre Gibson aka Gipp, 40, of Douglas, Georgia; and,

Timothy White, 51, of Patterson, Georgia.

Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of one to five years in prison and fines of $100,000 to $250,000, or both. Sentencing for certain defendants is scheduled for July 21-22, 2021 before U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner. There is no parole in the federal system.

“Dog fighting is an atrocious crime that often serves as a breeding ground for other illegal behavior. Our office will vigorously prosecute individuals found abusing and using animals for illegal fighting and gambling,” said Peter D. Leary, the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. “I want to thank the law enforcement agencies involved at the local and federal level for helping us obtain justice in this case, sending a message that dog fighting will not be tolerated in the Middle District of Georgia.”

“The successful conclusion of this case highlights the Division’s efforts to combat animal cruelty since we took responsibility for combating this vicious and cruel crime in 2014,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jean E. Williams of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “We will continue to prosecute significant and major offenders to maximize the impact of these cases on this illegal industry.”

“Individuals who support and facilitate the cold-hearted practice of dog fighting will face the fullest extent of criminal sanctions for their actions,” said Jason Williams, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General. “We appreciate the commitment of our law enforcement partners to investigate and assist in the criminal prosecution of those who support the appalling abuse of these animals.”

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, federal agents executed a search warrant at Solomon’s Camilla property on September 12, 2018, seizing twenty-seven pit bull-type dogs housed on chains, in poor living conditions. All but the puppies had scarring and injuries consistent with use in dog fighting. Agents also seized a large amount of dog fighting equipment in plain view throughout the primary living spaces of the house. Most notably, there was a large dog treadmill on which various dogs’ fighting histories, including whether they had perished during the fights, was written in print.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and Decatur County Animal Control.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Crane and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Ethan Eddy are prosecuting the case.