Colonel James F. Keathley, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway
Patrol, would like to commend Sgt. Terry Mills and Sgt. Jeffrey Heath, who
are criminal investigators within the Division of Drug and Crime Control.
Sgt. Mills and Sgt. Heath were guests at the American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (ASPCA) Humane Awards Luncheon in New
York City, NY, on October 29, 2009, where they accepted an ASPCA Public
Service Award for law enforcement.
The Humane Society Missouri nominated
the officers along with representatives from other agencies for their
diligent efforts in dismantling the largest dogfighting ring in Missouri
history.
“I want to commend Sgt. Mills and Sgt. Heath for their service to the state
of Missouri, and for their dedication to undercover investigations,” said
Colonel Keathley.
“This investigation not only uncovered an organized crime
ring, but it saved hundreds of dogs from the cruel and inhumane treatment
associated with dogfighting.”
The 18-month investigation into the dogfighting ring expanded into Indiana,
Kentucky, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Iowa, and Nebraska. On July 8,
2009, federal, state, and local agents served 28 federal search warrants
and two state search warrants.
Twenty-eight subjects were arrested on
federal and state charges. This federal investigation was approved by
Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Drake, of the Eastern District of
the Missouri U.S. Attorney’s office, in St. Louis, MO.
Through the
investigation of Sgt. Mills and Sgt. Heath, and the support of the Humane
Society of Missouri, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Office of
Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation this
investigation made a serious impact on dogfighting in the Midwest.
