Freeport Man Sentenced to Prison For Role in Dog Fighting Ring: DA

A Freeport man who plead guilty for his role in training pit bulls used in an illegal dog fighting ring was recently sentenced to over 1 to 4 years in prison, according to the Nassau County DA.

Anthony Reddick, 55, who had previously been convicted three times for prohibition of animal fighting, pleaded guilty on May 24 to prohibition of animal fighting and second degree criminal contempt, the DA said.

As part of his previous sentence, he was prohibited from having any contact with animals for 15 years by court order and he was convicted for criminal contempt for violating the order.

Between March and May 2015, Reddick, while on parole from another dogfighting conviction, conspired with others to breed, purchase, train, and fight pit bull dogs in an underground network of dog fighters, the DA said.

He had just been released from jail on March 5, 2015 after serving time for his 2014 conviction of prohibition of animal fighting and was on parole when intercepted communications with other members of the ring showed that Reddick was actively involved in the breeding and training of dogs despite his court order to avoid animals for 15 years, according to the DA.

In 2014, Reddick plead guilty to multiple dog fighting counts after a fire at his home revealed a substantial training facility for fighting dogs, the DA said.

Multiple pit bulls, confined to cages, died in that fire and their bodies were found amongst modified treadmills, break-sticks, spring-poles, and other training apparatus indicative of dog fighting activity, the DA said.

A warrant executed on his premises revealed his participation in the underground enterprise spanning back over 10 years.

Reddick’s first conviction in connection with dogfighting was in 1998; his second in 2001.

He was arrested on May 13, 2015, after a joint investigation with the DA’s office dubbed “Operation Blood Sport.”

Fellow dog fighter, Keith Salley, also known as SLAY, was also arrested as a result of this investigation, the DA said.

He pleaded guilty on June 16 to five felony counts of prohibition of animal fighting for his role in the fighting, training, and breeding of pit bulls dogs to be used in dog fighting for amusement or gain, the DA said.

Salley is due back in court on August 11. Reddick’s co-defendant, Shaheem Allen was also convicted and sentenced for dog fighting and heroin charges this past March.

“Anthony Reddick has relentlessly participated in the violent criminal enterprise of dogfighting for nearly two decades,” said DA Singas. “His sentence, though the maximum allowable by law, should put the public and the legislature on notice that our state desperately needs to enhance the penalties for such atrocious acts."