Fredricus White, 38, and Cornelious Johnson, 41, both from Panama City, Florida, have admitted to charges related to the possession of fighting dogs. Additionally, White pleaded guilty to possessing firearms and ammunition as a felon. This development was made public by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Court records reveal that from 2018 through February 2024, White and Johnson conspired to breach the Animal Welfare Act by engaging in organized dog fighting activities. These included breeding fighting dogs, participating in gambling on illegal dog fights, and training dogs for such events. The two were previously detained in Georgia on state charges connected to a dog fight in 2022. Federal arrest warrants issued in February 2024 for the Georgia incident led authorities to discover properties near Panama City where they continued their operations with fighting dogs. A search of White’s residence uncovered three firearms; he was barred from firearm possession due to prior felony convictions.
U.S. Attorney Heekin commented: “These defendants engaged in cruel and continued mistreatment of animals, but now they will find themselves locked in a cell for their crimes.” He emphasized appreciation for the work of law enforcement partners who helped dismantle what he termed “this heinous enterprise of animal cruelty,” noting its potential link to increased community violence.
The case resulted from collaborative efforts between the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), United States Department of Agriculture Office of the Inspector General with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Prosecution is being handled by attorneys from Tallahassee’s Criminal Division alongside support from the Environmental and Natural Resources Division at the Department of Justice.
This legal action forms part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative aiming to combat illegal immigration and eliminate cartels along with transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities against violent crime perpetrators.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida serves as one among 94 offices under direction from the Attorney General responsible primarily as litigators across national courts.
