A Department of Defense official was recently charged with facilitating a dogfighting ring that allegedly executed some of the dogs that survived the fights with jumper cables.
Frederick Douglass Moorefield Jr., 62, of Arnold, Maryland, the former deputy chief information officer for the Secretary of Defense’s office, was charged last month alongside 49-year-old Mario Damon Flythe of Glen Burnie, Maryland, with promoting and furthering animal fighting venture, according to the Department of Justice.
According to the DOJ, Moorefield and Flythe used an encrypted messaging system to discuss how to train dogs to fight and coordinate the violent contests. Moorefield’s operation was known as “Geehad Kennels,” while Flythe’s was “Razor Sharp Kennels,” authorities said.
The affidavit against them says they discussed betting on the fights, ways to hide their behavior from law enforcement, and dogs that died. Both individuals’ homes were searched on September 6, and investigators took a number of items that appeared to be connected to the alleged crimes.
“Following the execution of these warrants, twelve dogs were recovered and seized by the federal government,” the DOJ said. “Law enforcement also recovered veterinary steroids, training schedules, a carpet that appeared to be stained with blood, and a weighted dog vest with a patch reading ‘Geehad Kennels.’ In addition, law enforcement officers seized a device consisting of an electrical plug and jumper cables, which the affidavit alleges is consistent with devices used to execute dogs that lose dogfights.”
Two dead dogs were found in a plastic bag just six miles from Moorefield’s home in November 2018 by Anne Arundel County Animal Patrol. They had wounds indicating dogfighting, according to court documents. Mail addressed to Moorefield’s home was reportedly discovered in the plastic bag.
“We can confirm that the individual is no longer in the workplace, but we cannot comment further on an individual personnel matter,” Lt. Commander Tim Gorman said on Monday.
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As Task and Purpose reported, Moorefield’s position appears to have been filled by Kevin Mulvihill, who is now listed as the acting deputy chief information officer.
Both individuals charged could face a maximum of five years in prison if convicted.