Bermuda man held on $587,000 bond; 39 dogs seized getting care
Vets work to help dogs
Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies 'swarmed' the Bermuda community last Thursday and arrested a man on multiple counts of dog-fighting and animal cruelty as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged dog-fighting ring that may result in even more criminal charges.
According to Monroe County Sheriff Tom Boatwright, law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at the Mixon Road residence of Gecoby Penn last Thursday around 7 p.m. and discovered a dog-fighting arena and collected several 'crucial' piece of evidence.
As officials 'swarmed' on the location, they arrested Penn, 33, on 13 counts of dog fighting and two counts of animal cruelty. Monroe County sheriff's deputies, including some assigned to the Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force, transported Penn to the Monroe County Jail, where he remained Tuesday afternoon on a $587,000 bond.
Boatwright noted that he expects additional charges to be added as the investigation progresses. Arrest records reflect that Penn is also wanted on unspecified criminal warrants held by the Evergreen Police Department.
"The operation was a result of an extensive investigation into an alleged dog-fighting ring," Boatwright said, expressing his gratitude to the dedicated members of the Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, U.S. federal probation officers, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for "their hard work and commitment to this investigation."
Boatwright noted that officers rescued 39 dogs from a residence and the surrounding property. These dogs were handed over to the Monroe County Animal Shelter in Monroeville, where local veterinarians evaluated them and provided them with necessary medical treatment. Boatwright also extended a special thanks to the Monroe County Animal Shelter for their willingness to care for the dogs.
