COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A Columbus man was arrested in conjunction with the unsealing of a grand jury indictment charging him with illegally possessing dogs for fighting purposes, possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and illegally possessing a firearm subsequent to a felony conviction.

Joel Brown, 37, was arrested yesterday and appeared in federal court in Columbus.

According to the 13-count indictment, Brown was keeping 11 pit bull-type dogs for fighting purposes in Franklin County. The dogs were rescued by Columbus Humane, which worked in conjunction with the Columbus Division of Police. Authorities also recovered tools and supplies commonly used in the training and keeping of dogs for fighting.

The defendant also allegedly possessed a shotgun and various types of ammunition, as well as at least 50 grams of methamphetamine.

The indictment was returned in December and unsealed following Brown's arrest.

If convicted, Brown faces a maximum penalty of up to 40 years in prison on the drug charge and a maximum of 15 years in prison on the firearms charge. He also faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison per count on each of the 11 animal fighting charges. Under federal law, it is illegal to possess, train, transport, deliver, receive, buy or sell animals intended for use in an animal fighting venture.

Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole Pakiz and Kevin W. Kelley and Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman of the Department of Justice's Environment and Natural Resources Division's Environmental Crimes Section are representing the United States in this case. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Columbus Humane are investigating the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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