Georgia men sentenced for dog fighting, cocaine trafficking ring

southeast Georgia and the low country. This is W. J. C. L. 22 morning news. See us now breaking right now on W. J. C. L. 22 morning news officers swarming this motel on the south side of Savannah. What we know about the investigation happening right now with violent criminals are folks that we’re looking for off the streets. But this young man had nothing, no knock warrant protests. People up in arms after Minneapolis police officers say they shot and killed the wrong man. The parents knew message this morning growing concern over a Russian attack, um, Alexa diaz in Washington. While the U. S. Says an invasion of Ukraine is looking more likely by the day. Plus Savannah’s new end market arena. It’s opened the first nearly sold out crowd pouring in overnight. Why locals say this is such a game changer and the next big name performing there soon. But first, yeah, it’s a chilly. It’s a rainy, it is a monday morning. Check out this time lapse video we created showing the storms rolling through downtown Savannah. You see that rain in waves and sheets rolling right up the Savannah river. Now let’s go ahead and take a live look or actually this is more time lives video from overnight as you can see those heavy rains and heavy winds, Chatham Parkway again, very similar scene there as we had some rough weather moved through the area in the overnight hours. Thanks so much for starting your day with W. J. C. L. 22 news. Good morning. Hey, you know what? Before we get to the good morning, there’s a live look right now from Forsyth Park as you can see. We showed that range from overnight as you can see right now, no rain out there but it is chilly again. Thanks so much for joining us this morning frank Stokowski, he is Jonathan, Myers and Jonathan. We had that rain, we had that wind, it’s died down a little bit but one thing remains and that’s the cold temperatures. Yeah and drizzle to out there. It’s kinda hard to see it there at four sites but it’s out there this morning frank, kinda one of those mornings want to stay in bed for a lot of us but as you head out the door for work in school this morning, definitely bundle up, need that hat and gloves on this morning and also that umbrella because you’re seeing that drizzle even some light rain and parts the low country as we’re starting the day, most of us right now at 40 degrees 42 at nine, really not warming up very quickly throughout the morning with low clouds and drizzle that’ll take you throughout the morning at best today, maybe 50 most of us are going to struggle Just to get out of the 40s throughout the afternoon and then not a whole lot of rain from about mid morning until about the middle part of the afternoon but another line of showers we rolling through late afternoon and also as we go into the evening, you can see where the showers are there in parts of the low country around Beaufort Bluffton also Hampton sylvania Springfield and bulk of the rain right now is north of I 16 but radar having trouble to pick up that drizzle that is out there this morning. That has definitely seen some wet roadways around as we start today. They’re from a beautiful Bluffton like I said, ridgeland hardy ville also up into parts of Ascribing County and also Hampton County seeing some light rain as we are starting the day four counts as we go throughout the next couple of days we will begin to see a nice little warming trend by the middle of the week, temperatures will be up into the mid sixties and even close to 70. Buy a saturday. So really not too bad as we go closer to the end of the week and much of the work week is looking dry for more on this chilly and gloomy day. Force here is meteorologist Melissa Hall, which is live this morning. Good morning Melissa morning Jonathan. Yeah, that fine mist has ended for the most part at Forsyth but that window blow and some of the droplets that are clinging to those leaves are still coming down and it is wet. It is a little bit windy and it is downright chilly as you head out for your morning commute. So even if you’re not dealing with that fine mist that Jonathan was just mentioning the roadways are still wet this morning for your commute and through the day with these clouds, you’re definitely gonna want to bundle up if you don’t have to get out. Today’s another day like yesterday, don’t get out, stay home, stay warm because you’re not gonna be able to stay warm if you are out today with those temperatures really limited with all that cloud coverage. Now frank you mentioned earlier, I wasn’t able to find my gloves this morning but I have a feeling that I could be as bundled up as that little brother on a christmas story, ralphie’s little brother randy and I would still be chilly. It is just frigid outside with that wind in that rain. Now I tell you what melissa, I don’t need your expert reporting or Jonathan because friday, I woke up with these pains in my ankles and my bones and my joints and that’s kind of my barometer when I know cold weather’s coming cold, wet weather and it has for sure come. That’s for sure. I hate to say it, my friend, but you’re right when that pressure starts to shift, the older we get, the easier it is for us to tell it without having to look at any of those maps. All right, try to stay warm out there Melissa, we’ll catch up with you a little bit alright. Taking a look at the roadways right now. Highway 80 at State Road 30 and Faulk Ville as you can see. Yeah, a little bit of headlights there, traffic starting to pick up as we get going here just past six o’clock on a monday morning we’re breaking right now there’s heavy police presence at a motel on Southside savannah. Here’s a look at that scene at the motel six on Stevenson Avenue near Aber corn Street. We’re asking investigators exactly what happened here and what type of evidence these officers are gathering. As soon as we get that information, of course we’ll pass it along to you. Also breaking this morning the Truman back open after a rollover crash had one lane shut down overnight. Take a look at the car, just a mangled mess, flipped over there in the median. The single car crash. It happened on the southbound Truman near Whitfield Avenue, Chatham County Police tell us one person was taken to the hospital. We’re working to learn how that person is doing this morning, investigators do believe they may have been speeding. Well, Savannas and Market arena is open for business and its first big concert was a huge success. Mm hmm. Riley Greene had the nearly sellout crowd fired up last night. Opening acts where Corey smith and Dillon Carmichael also performed. Now we spoke to some of the concert goers who said going to a concert this size with so much more convenient thanks to this new venue. You don’t have to buy a hotel room. I can just uber back home and familiar with the surrounding area. So it makes it more convenient for me. So I’m happy that we have something new that can bring people to Savannah and see our beautiful city. We also ran into some familiar faces at the contract. Yeah, I know those folks. Our own Amy Zimmer and Riley Miller and Market arenas. Next big event. It’s a performance from Savannah native big boy that’s coming up On February 11. Now outside the arena country artists Levi more treated audiences to his music as they filed in for the big concert more a local says he’s glad to have the opportunity to play for such a big audience. Well later this morning a jury selection is set to begin for the federal trial of the three men already convicted for murdering Ahmad are very Gregory. McMichael, Travis, McMichael and William Roddy bryan JR are facing life in prison after being convicted in state court back in november. Now they face federal hate crimes charges. Last week, a judge rejected the terms of a plea deal between the McX Michaels and federal prosecutors. Both men withdrew their guilty pleas. Now of course we’ve got a crew headed to the federal courthouse in Brunswick later this morning and we’ll be bringing you every development in this case both on air and online at W. J. C. L. Dot com. Now to the warning from President biden about the rising tensions in eastern europe. The U. S. Says a Russian invasion of Ukraine would come at an enormous human cost Alexa Diaz is in our Washington bureau with the latest on efforts to de escalate that situation. There is concern the Ukrainian government could topple quickly and tens of thousands of civilians could be killed. The U. S. Says a Russian attack could come in a matter of weeks, if not days. The us says Russian President Vladimir Putin has assembled 70{5608d64c6cc24f1e544c5fdaf0579e617e0400f6027e172f8252e4f136b30fba} of the military firepower. He will likely need to launch a full scale attack on Ukraine. He has put himself in a position with military deployments to be able to act aggressively against Ukraine at any time. Now, President biden has deployed U. S. Troops to Poland Romania and Germany to defend NATO allies in case of an invasion. The president says americans will not fight in Ukraine. The Ukrainian government says it doesn’t believe an attack is imminent and is urging the west to avoid panic. Meanwhile, concern about a possible alliance between Russia and china. After President Putin and President Xi Jinping met in Beijing on friday, we’ve seen that partnership building up over time. We have to redouble our efforts to protect democracies and today President biden is hosting the new german chancellor to the White House Germany has so far refused to provide military assistance to Ukraine, frustrating other NATO allies and lawmakers here at home in Washington and my accidents new this morning, a car caravan protest against police shooting in Minneapolis. You can see vehicles lined up flashing their lights overnight, A call for action following the shooting of a mir lock. Now we shared this troubling bodycam footage last week showing the moments before lock was shot and killed when officers carried out a no knock warrant protests and rallies have erupted across the state since his death. After police said lock was not named in the warrant. Amir locks, parents will be sitting down with Good Morning America today, here’s a first look at that interview. I want everyone to know that they kicked that couch and startled him out of his sleep. He didn’t even have the opportunity to see who decided to play God and take his life. Now you can catch GM A right after our show starting at seven o’clock. Well, New Orleans saints running back Alvin Kamara arrested overnight on the same day, he played in the pro bowl in Las Vegas camara charged with battery resulting in substantial bodily harm. Now, according to the Las Las Vegas Police department, the victim reported being battered at a nightclub and investigation Lead them to the 26 year old Kamara who was taken into custody without incident. He’s expected to make his initial court appearance later today. Now in a statement, the NFL said, we are aware of the matter but will decline further comment at this time

Georgia men sentenced to federal prison for dog fighting, cocaine trafficking ring

Authorities say the criminal organization was based in Georgia and stretched into Florida and Alabama.

Updated: 11:17 AM EST Feb 7, 2022

Above video: Your Monday headlinesMACON, Ga. (AP) — Two Georgia men have been sentenced to federal prison after they were arrested as part of an investigation into a multi-state dog fighting and cocaine trafficking ring.Authorities investigated a criminal organization involved in cocaine distribution and dog fighting based in Roberta, Georgia, and stretching into north Georgia, Florida and Alabama. The investigation lasted from May 2019 until February 2020, when law enforcement agents carried out search warrants at 15 homes and seized more than 150 dogs that were being used for fighting, prosecutors said in a news release.TRENDING STORIESProsecutors proved 3 men murdered Ahmaud Arbery. But can they prove it was racially motivated?Big crowd turns out for grand opening of Savannah’s Enmarket ArenaJury awards $50 million to Bluffton mayor in defamation lawsuitJarvis Lockett, 41, of Warner Robins was sentenced Tuesday to serve 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Christopher Raines, 51, of Talbotton was sentenced to serve 11 years and three months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release and was ordered to pay a fine of $10,000. “Dog-fighting is closely associated with other serious crimes, and today’s sentences show that those who engage in this cruel and inhumane practice face significant prison time,” Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim, with the U.S. Justice Department’s environmental and natural resources division, said in the release.The investigation began with Lockett, U.S. Attorney Peter Leary of the Middle District of Georgia said in the release.“Federal, state and local law enforcement meticulously followed every lead, and their unwavering commitment to justice has put an end to a complex and deadly dog-fighting and drug distribution network,” Leary said. “Violent dog-fighting circles are proven breeding grounds for a wide-range of criminal activities that harm the well-being of our communities and will not be tolerated in the Middle District of Georgia.”During the time of the investigation, Lockett was involved in dog fights in several places in Georgia, including Taylor County, Eastman and Shiloh. Text messages on his phone included communications about killing an unaggressive dog, planning a dog fight, soliciting a female dog for fighting and discussions of purchasing large amounts of cocaine, the release says. A confidential informant bought cocaine from Lockett at a home in Roberta in July and September 2019.On Feb. 26, 2020, officers searched the Roberta home and found cash, cocaine and evidence of dog fighting, prosecutors said. They found 14 dogs there with scars consistent with fighting. The same day, while executing a search warrant at a Warner Robins home Lockett owned, they found more evidence of dog fighting and a pit bull with injuries that were stapled shut. The dog died two days later from his injuries.Raines’ illegal drug and dog fighting activities were discovered during the investigation, prosecutors said. While executing a search warrant on Feb. 26, 2020, at a property owned by Raines in Talbotton, authorities recovered 41 dogs used in dog fighting. They were malnourished and had scars, hair loss and spliced ears. Raines admitted he was a manager or supervisor in the criminal organization and was involved in selling cocaine, prosecutors said.Lockett had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in an animal fighting venture and cocaine distribution. Raines had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in an animal fighting venture and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base.

Above video: Your Monday headlines

MACON, Ga. (AP) — Two Georgia men have been sentenced to federal prison after they were arrested as part of an investigation into a multi-state dog fighting and cocaine trafficking ring.

Authorities investigated a criminal organization involved in cocaine distribution and dog fighting based in Roberta, Georgia, and stretching into north Georgia, Florida and Alabama. The investigation lasted from May 2019 until February 2020, when law enforcement agents carried out search warrants at 15 homes and seized more than 150 dogs that were being used for fighting, prosecutors said in a news release.

TRENDING STORIES

Jarvis Lockett, 41, of Warner Robins was sentenced Tuesday to serve 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Christopher Raines, 51, of Talbotton was sentenced to serve 11 years and three months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release and was ordered to pay a fine of $10,000.

“Dog-fighting is closely associated with other serious crimes, and today’s sentences show that those who engage in this cruel and inhumane practice face significant prison time,” Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim, with the U.S. Justice Department’s environmental and natural resources division, said in the release.

The investigation began with Lockett, U.S. Attorney Peter Leary of the Middle District of Georgia said in the release.

“Federal, state and local law enforcement meticulously followed every lead, and their unwavering commitment to justice has put an end to a complex and deadly dog-fighting and drug distribution network,” Leary said. “Violent dog-fighting circles are proven breeding grounds for a wide-range of criminal activities that harm the well-being of our communities and will not be tolerated in the Middle District of Georgia.”

During the time of the investigation, Lockett was involved in dog fights in several places in Georgia, including Taylor County, Eastman and Shiloh. Text messages on his phone included communications about killing an unaggressive dog, planning a dog fight, soliciting a female dog for fighting and discussions of purchasing large amounts of cocaine, the release says. A confidential informant bought cocaine from Lockett at a home in Roberta in July and September 2019.

On Feb. 26, 2020, officers searched the Roberta home and found cash, cocaine and evidence of dog fighting, prosecutors said. They found 14 dogs there with scars consistent with fighting. The same day, while executing a search warrant at a Warner Robins home Lockett owned, they found more evidence of dog fighting and a pit bull with injuries that were stapled shut. The dog died two days later from his injuries.

Raines’ illegal drug and dog fighting activities were discovered during the investigation, prosecutors said. While executing a search warrant on Feb. 26, 2020, at a property owned by Raines in Talbotton, authorities recovered 41 dogs used in dog fighting. They were malnourished and had scars, hair loss and spliced ears. Raines admitted he was a manager or supervisor in the criminal organization and was involved in selling cocaine, prosecutors said.

Lockett had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in an animal fighting venture and cocaine distribution. Raines had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in an animal fighting venture and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base.