Woodbridge Man Pleads Guilty In Dogfighting Conspiracy Case

WOODBRIDGE, VA — A Woodbridge man has pleaded guilty to a dogfighting conspiracy charge, federal prosecutors announced this week. Several other men had already pleaded guilty.

Authorities identified the man as 41-year-old Derek Garcia. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to engage in dogfighting conspiracy.

Garcia could face up to five years in prison, based on federal sentencing guidelines. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 7, 2023.

Garcia, along with several other people, was part of a dogfighting conspiracy known as the "DMV Board." The board communicated over a private messaging service to buy and sell fighting dogs, bet on dog fights, and provide updates about fights.

"According to court documents, on or about June 28, 2020, Garcia posted on the DMV Board a narrative of a fight between dogs, one of which was conditioned and handled by Garcia himself," the U.S. Attorney's Office said. "Garcia notified the DMV Board that his dog was the winner, after his opponent’s dog stopped moving at 32 minutes into the fight."

Anyone who is concerned about an animal's wellbeing in Prince William County can contact the Animal Control Bureau at 703-792-6465.