A Monroe County man has pleaded guilty to federal charges he owned a stable of 38 dogs and operated a dogfighting ring on his property.
Through a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, 37-year-old Gecoby Ladon Penn pleaded guilty to 17 counts of knowingly possessing a dog for purposes of having the dog participate in an animal fighting venture -- with “animal venture” defined under U.S. Code as “a fight conducted between at least 2 animals for the purposes of sport, wagering or entertainment.”
With each count carrying a maximum prison sentence of five years and a fine of $250,000, Penn could theoretically be facing an 85-year prison sentence and a $4.25 million fine. That’s unlikely, however, since under the plea deal the U.S. Attorney’s Office agreed to recommend sentencing at the lower end of guidelines.
Sentencing is set for Sept. 6 in U.S. District Court in Mobile.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Penn kept the 38 dogs at his place of residence in the Bermuda community of Monroe County. He was arrested in August 2023 when Monroe County deputies, assigned to the Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force, raided Penn’s property and found the dogs, many with grievous injuries.
The dogs were turned over to the Monroe County Animal Shelter. Of the 38 located on Penn’s property, 22 had to be euthanized.
In addition to the dogs, deputies found with supplies and tools consistent with the operation of a dogfighting ring, including:
- Modified treadmills, both manual and electric, used to physically condition the dogs
- Injectable veterinary steroids
- Canine medications and syringes
- A weighted dog vest, chains, and weighted collars for physical conditioning
- A running collar mounted to a 4-wheeler
- A “Flying Jenny” for physical conditioning
- A training pool
- Dogfight corral
- Wooden arena
In addition, dog remains were found on the property.