Robert Elliott's arrest is the 10th in Operation Grand Champion, which investigated an interstate dog-fighting network.
CAMDEN -- A Millville man is the latest to be charged in a dog-fighting ring after he was found to own several of the 13 pit bulls found on his property, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Authorities charged nine individuals in four states in June for their alleged involvement in an interstate dog-fighting network. Robert A. Elliott Sr., 47, of Millville, was charged Wednesday for possessing dogs for the purpose of dog fighting.
On June 1, authorities charged Anthony "Monte" Gaines, 35, of Vineland; Justin Love, 36, of Westville; Lydell Harris, 30, of Vineland; Mario Atkinson, 40, of Asbury Park; Frank Nichols, 39, of Millville; Tiffany Burt, 34, of Vineland; Dajwan Ware, 43, of Fort Wayne, Indiana.; Pedro Cuellar, 46, of Willow Springs, Illinois.; Robert Arellano, 62, of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
During Operation Grand Champion, named after a designation in the dog fighting community, authorities arrested Nichols on a Millville property where he lived with Elliott. Also on the property were 13 pit bulls kept in pens, chained in a wooded area and kept in shipping crates in the basement. Several of the dogs showed scarring and various pieces of equipment used in the dog fighting industry -- veterinarian equipment, dog pedigree printouts a stand used for breeding and sticks used to pry open dog mouths -- were found on the property.
Dog fighting criminalized under N.J. law
Elliott admitted to investigators that his family owned 10 out of the 13 dogs found on the property, according to the U.S. Attorney.
Authorities seized the dogs -- named Shottsie, Neicee, Hope, Twenty, Johnny, Nikki, Bobo, Poker Face, Ruby and Samantha -- and the Humane Society is assisting with the care of the dogs. Pedigree information found at Elliott's property show that the dogs were bred from lines of fighting dogs -- specifically dogs with champion and grand champion pedigrees.
Elliott appeared Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joel Schneider in Camden federal court. The maximum penalty for possession an animal for animal fighting is five years in prison.
Don E. Woods may be reached at dwoods@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @donewoods1. Find NJ.com on Facebook.