Columbus man pleads guilty to dogfighting, drug crimes

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man pleaded guilty in federal court here today to federal dogfighting and drug crimes.

Joel Brown, 38, admitted to possessing and training dogs for fighting purposes and possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to court documents, Brown was keeping 11 pit bull-type dogs for fighting purposes at his residence in Franklin County. The dogs on his property were chained with heavy tow chains attached to tire axels buried in the ground. The dogs were within eyesight of each other but housed just out of reach – a housing style typical with organized dogfighting. On one of Brown’s Facebook accounts, he posted a video of a black pit bull with visible scarring running on a slatmill – a type of treadmill often used by dogfighters.

After responding to complaints about dogs being left outside at the property and obtaining search warrants, Columbus Humane rescued the dogs. They worked in conjunction with the Columbus Division of Police. Authorities also recovered tools and supplies commonly used in the training and keeping of dogs for fighting. Under federal law, it is illegal to possess, train, transport, deliver, receive, buy or sell animals intended for use in an animal fighting venture.

While conducting search warrants, law enforcement officers also discovered approximately 52 grams of methamphetamine in Brown’s home.

Brown was indicted in December 2024.

Brown will be sentenced at a later date. He faces five to 40 years in prison for the methamphetamine crime and up to five years in prison for animal fighting.

Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole Pakiz and Kevin W. Kelley and Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman of the Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section are representing the United States in this case. Columbus Humane, the Columbus Division of Police and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case.

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