13 suspects face charges and are wanted by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office in connection with a dog-fighting ring. The suspects are all males ranging in age from 22-to-56. They are from Statesville, Lenoir, Mooresville, Charlotte, Asheboro, Greensboro, and Newberry, South Carolina.

On Saturday (May 13), Iredell County Deputies received information from an anonymous caller regarding a possible dog-fighting event on Sena Lane, east of Statesville. Deputies and Iredell County Animal Services personnel responded to the 1,200 block of Sena Lane, which is a dead end.

The end of the road leads to a field where Deputies found over 20 vehicles parked. As Officers approached, multiple subjects fled on foot as others attempted to flee in vehicles. Deputies, with assistance from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, were able to contain all the vehicles.

Investigators determined that the actual fight was about to take place as Deputies arrived. Deputies found a fighting ring in the nearby woods, with each ring numbered one through four. Deputies also found medical supplies to care for the dogs after fighting and a hanging scale to weigh the dogs. As the result of evidence found on the scene and the number of subjects involved, Investigators determined that the location had been used for similar events multiple times in the past.

Deputies and Animal Control personnel seized and rescued five dogs at the scene, including one that was locked in a vehicle that had been left there.

A Magistrate found probable cause to issue warrants for the arrest of 13 individuals. Their names have been entered into a “Wanted Persons” database. Charges include felony counts of dog-fighting, conspiracy, and identity theft, along with misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals and resisting, delaying, or obstructing a public officer.

The individuals facing charges are:

56-year-old James Faron Morrison of East Greenbriar Road in Statesville,

36-year-old Phillip Alexander Stevenson of South Meeting Street in Statesville,

39-year-old Curtis Alexander Bowers Jr. of Warrior Road in Lenoir,

51-year-old Sean Lennell Burton of Barnswallow Lane in Mooresville,

51-year-old Maurice Moore of Farmhurst Drive in Charlotte,

22-year-old Maurice Leon Washington of Firelight Lane in Charlotte,

51-year-old Tomocka Gladden of Martin Hill Avenue in Asheboro,

31-year-old Maurice Kentrell Nance of Giff Street in Newberry, South Carolina,

35-year-old Johnathan Marquis Baxter of Player Street in Newberry, South Carolina,

30-year-old Keith Deshawn Robinson of Kilkenny Avenue in Greensboro,

26-year-old Jashari Malik Billups of Sidney Crest Avenue in Charlotte, and

46-year-old Thomas Duane Bennett of Clay Avenue in Charlotte.

The investigation is ongoing. Additional charges are possible.