BALTIMORE (December 2, 2024) — In Defense of Animals applauds the sentencing of Frederick Douglas Moorefield, Jr., who pleaded guilty last summer to federal animal fighting charges and interstate travel in aid of racketeering.

Moorefield, who faced a maximum of five years in prison for conspiring to engage in an animal fighting conspiracy, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, six months of home detention, and a $20,000 fine, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a forfeiture money judgment of $21,576.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, an investigation was launched into Moorefield in 2018 after two dogs were found dead in a plastic dog food bag in Annapolis. This led authorities to uncover his role in a group known as the “DMV Board,” which operated in and around Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Moorefield operated under the name “Geehad Kennels” and had used his home to keep, train and breed dogs for fighting for over 20 years. 

In September 2023, a federal complaint was filed against Moorefield, who was Deputy Chief Information Officer for Command, Control, and Communications, for Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Mario Damon Flythe, who he had been conspiring with. 

Twelve dogs were seized between them, and an abundance of evidence was found confirming their affiliation with dogfighting. Moorefield was found to have been arranging dogfights, which only ended when a dog died or someone else forfeited. Moorefield killed losing dogs who survived by electrocuting them. 

In Defense of Animals sent a letter with 13,900 signatures calling for maximum sentencing of both men. 

“Dogfighting is despicable enough, but to have someone in public office involved is horrifying. We thank law enforcement and the U.S. District Attorney’s Office for pursuing this case, and holding those responsible for the suffering they caused accountable,” said Doll Stanley, In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Senior Campaigner. 

Moorefield’s co-defendent Mario Damon Flythe is due to be sentenced on January 23, 2025. 

Contact: Doll Stanley, doll@idausa.org, (662) 809-4483

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a 41-year history of defending animals, people, and the environment through education and campaigns, as well as hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, central California, and rural Mississippi. www.idausa.org/justice4animals

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