Defendants in Pensacola Dog Fighting Conspiracy Sentenced to Federal Prison

Four defendants who were convicted for their roles in a dog fighting conspiracy recently received their prison sentences, according to a Department of Justice (DOJ) press release dated August 25, 2020.

Senior U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson in the Northern District of Florida imposed the sentences. The Environment and Natural Resources Division of the DOJ with jurisdiction over issues relating to animal abuse and wildlife threats led the investigation.

Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark of the DOJ’s Environment and Natural Resources Division said in the release, “Our division continues to aggressively pursue those who engage in the cruel and brutal practice of dog fighting, which is often linked with many other forms of violent and organized criminal activity…today’s sentencing sends a strong message that we are bringing to justice those who engage in illegal dog fighting and trafficking of fighting dogs.”

David Lee Moser, 37, of Waynesboro, Tennessee, was sentenced on August 25, 2020 to 12 months and one day in prison for conspiring with his co-defendants to violate the dog fighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act.

Another defendant, James “Tommy” Peek, 68, of Milton, Florida, was earlier sentenced to serve 15 months in prison after pleading guilty to unlawfully conspiring to violate the dog fighting prohibitions of the Animal Welfare Act, possessing a dog for the purposes of dogfighting, and for the act of delivering a dog to co-defendant Shane Sprague for the purpose of dog fighting. Sprague, 36, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after being convicted of federal conspiracy to violate the animal fighting provisions of the federal Animal Welfare Act.

Haley Cook Murph, 25, of Milton, Florida, was sentenced to serve eight months in prison after pleading guilty to unlawfully conspiring to violate the dog fighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act, traveling to Alabama to purchase a fighting dog from a known dog fighter, and possessing that dog for purposes of using the dog in an animal fighting venture.

Evidence at trial, along with admissions made by the pleading defendants, established that Sprague would facilitate dog fights and engage in the trafficking of fighting dogs alongside Moser and others. Both covered up the death of a dog that resulted from a dog fight. Peek had a reputation as a prominent dog fighter around the country and has a chapter in a dog fighting book written about him. He sold a fighting dog to an undercover agent and spoke of upcoming dog fights.

Murph was considered the “veterinarian” of the group despite having no medical license to treat animals. She would perform surgery on dogs for the purpose of dog fighting. Two animals died under her watch during a medical procedure. She also supplied a “bait” animal to test the fighting capabilities of a dog.

Trial Attorney Ethan Eddy and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Love prosecuted the case.  The matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Inspector General.

Special Agent in Charge Jason Williams of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Inspector General (USDA-OIG) said in the release, “The outstanding work of the USDA-OIG agents who investigated this case made it possible to bring these operators of a major animal fighting venture and breeders who participate in such activities to justice.  We will continue to vigorously investigate individuals who attend, facilitate, or profit from the misery inflicted upon animals during these barbaric fights.”