St. Louis County Man Sentenced for Hosting Dogfights

ST. LOUIS - U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk on Friday sentenced a man who hosted dogfights and trained dogs to fight to 18 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.

Terrell Williams, 52, has also agreed to give up the dogs and training equipment seized by law enforcement during the investigation.

Williams hosted dog fights in the basement of his home in Riverview, Missouri, on two occasions in July and August of 2021. Williams also bred and owned multiple bull terriers or terrier mixes between Sept. 5, 2020, and May 1, 2022, that were used for fights. On June 22, 2022, FBI agents conducted a court-approved search of Williams' home and seized eight bull terrier mixes and three Yorkshire terriers, as well as equipment used to train and condition dogs. Multiple dogs appeared to be aggressive towards humans and other dogs, anxious or fearful. Dogs also bore scars consistent with dog bites or dog fighting, Williams' plea agreement says.

Williams pleaded guilty in March to a felony charge of dogfighting, which is punishable by up to five years in prison.

The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson prosecuted the case.