NEWARK — Two men were indicted Wednesday for their alleged participation in an interstate dog-fighting network that spanned from New Mexico to New Jersey.
Lydell Harris, 31, of Vineland, and Robert Arellano, 63, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, were indicted separately in federal court. They were among the nine individuals arrested during Operation Grand Champion in June 2016, which not only brought down the dog fighting network but also rescued 66 dogs.
Harris was indicted on charges of conspiracy to sponsor and exhibit a dog in an animal fight venture and eight counts of possession of a dog for use in an animal fighting venture.
According to court records, Harris was a part of a dog-fighting network from May 25, 2015, to June 1, 2016. He allegedly owned pit bulls and trained them to fight — two being named Tee Tee and Death’s Angel.
Arellano was indicted on charges of conspiracy to sell, buy, transport, deliver and receive dogs for an animal fighting venture. He allegedly conspired with individuals from Vineland, Glassboro and Maryland from December 2014 to November 2015.
Those involved in the dog-fighting ring allegedly used websites and phone calls to talk about fighting results and set up fights.
Don E. Woods may be reached at dwoods@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @donewoods1. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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