BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Carlton Lenard Adams, of Bessemer and Adger, Alabama, was sentenced last month to 120 months in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of possessing dogs for fighting purposes and two counts of possessing firearms subsequent to a felony conviction. The court also imposed a restitution of $548,449 to cover the care costs for 78 pit bull-type dogs rescued during the investigation.
Adams maintained the 78 fighting dogs across three properties in Bessemer and Adger. Upon their rescue, many dogs exhibited scars, injuries, and signs of extreme neglect. Authorities also discovered two pistols and a semi-automatic shotgun, colloquially known as a "Street Sweeper," which is classified as a destructive device under federal law.
Investigators recovered various tools and supplies used for dog fighting, including modified treadmills for conditioning, injectable veterinary steroids, suture materials, skin staplers, intravenous bags, a homemade breeding stand, and a break stick. The rescued dogs were cared for by a U.S. Marshals Service program and, following a successful civil forfeiture action, were rehabilitated and evaluated for adoption.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson emphasized the widespread cruelty, saying, "This case demonstrates that the cruelty of dog fighting is not limited to the brutal injuries inflicted in the fighting pit. These animals suffer before, during, and after the fights." U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams, Jr. added, "We will show no mercy to individuals in this District like Carlton Adams that torture animals for entertainment purposes."
U.S. Department of Agriculture Inspector General John Walk highlighted the link between dog fighting and other criminal activity, noting, "It also exposes how dog fighting operations are often accompanied by broader criminal activity as evidenced by the presence of dangerous weapons." The USDA OIG, FBI, and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorney Ethan Eddy and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Rummage.