Dogs shelter Jacksonville NC

Authorities seized 156 dogs and arrested several men accused of fighting dogs and betting hundreds of thousands of dollars on fights, many of which ended in the dogs’ death or serious injury.

The Tuesday arrests included eight men accused of being involved with dog fights and two others accused of selling cocaine, crack, and heroin.

• Lewis Edmond Andrews Jr., 41, of Maple Hill was charged with conspiracy to violate the animal welfare act; conspiracy to possess with the intention to distribute cocaine, crack, and heroin; attending an animal fighting venture; possessing, training, transporting and delivering animals in an animal fighting venture; distributing 28 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of crack and cocaine; distributing a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of crack and cocaine; and distributing a quantity of heroin.

• Ronnie Jeremy Thompson, 39, of Jacksonville was charged with conspiracy to violate the animal welfare act; attending an animal fighting venture; sponsoring and exhibiting animals in an animal fighting venture; and possessing, training, transporting and delivering animals in an animal fighting venture.

• Mark Anthony West, 52, of Jacksonville was charged with conspiracy to violate the animal welfare act; distributing crack within 1, 000 feet of Jacksonville High School; possessing, training, transporting and delivering animals in an animal fighting venture; and attending an animal fighting venture.

• Leo Chadwick, 63, of Hubert was charged with conspiracy to violate the animal welfare act; possessing, training, transporting and delivering animals in an animal fighting venture; and attending an animal fighting venture.

• Aaron “Jit” Richardson, 41, of Jacksonville was charged with conspiracy to violate the animal welfare act; attending an animal fighting venture; and possessing, training, transporting and delivering animals in an animal fighting venture.

• Cedric Gerard Cook, 38, of Fayetteville was charged with conspiracy to violate the animal welfare act and attending an animal fighting venture.

• James David Martin, 38, of Maple Hill was charged with conspiracy to violate the animal welfare act and attending an animal fighting venture.

• James Leslie Golden II, 46, of Ayden was charged with attending an animal fighting venture.

• Randall “Slim” Jacob James, 32, of Maple Hill was charged with conspiracy to possess with the intention to distribute cocaine, crack, and heroin; and distributing 28 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of crack and cocaine.

• William “Bo” Jay Farrior, 36, of Maple Hill was charged with conspiracy to possess with the intention to distribute cocaine, crack, and heroin; distributing 28 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of crack and cocaine; and distributing a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of crack and cocaine.

The eight men are accused of conducting and attending the fights since October 2015 in eastern North Carolina, according to the indictment.

The indictment listed a number of specific dates of the men’s alleged involvement.

On Dec. 17, 2015, Andrews and Cook allegedly met to discuss dog fighting, breeding and conditioning before weighing a Pit Bull-type dog from a strap attached to the ceiling in preparation of a fight, according to the indictment.