- Florida, USA -
~ Update: May 22, 2023
State Attorney R.J. Larizza announced that at the conclusion of a five-day trial, on the evening of Friday, May 12, 2023, a Volusia County jury found 56-years-old NOBLE GENE GEATHERS (pictured), guilty as charged of twelve counts of Principal to Felony Cruelty to Animals, nine counts of Principal to Animal Fighting and one count of Animal Fighting-Property Promoting.
Each charge, a third-degree felony, is punishable by up to five years in prison.
On the morning of Friday, May 19, 2023, the Honorable Leah Case sentenced GEATHERS to eighteen (18) years in Florida State Prison and fined him $10,000.
According to The Daytona Beach News-Journal, “Assistant State Attorney Michael Willard, who prosecuted the case along with Assistant State Attorney Dan Megaro, requested a 27-year sentence.” The news agency further reports that GEATHERS’ defense attorney, Carlus Haynes, said he has seen cases where defendants with criminal records who have harmed people don't get sentences that long.
In a brief press release, State Attorney R.J. Larizza recounted the facts that ultimately led to the arrest of GEATHERS, and co-defendants in the case, 35-years-old BENJAMIN PONDER III and 52-years-old EARL LENARD HOLMES (also pictured).
“On February 22, 2021, the Daytona Beach Police Department with help from Volusia County Animal Services seized forty-two (42) dogs from a vacant lot and an adjoining residence located on Reva Street in Daytona Beach. Upon further investigation, detectives discovered that the dogs were being bred and then used in an organized dogfighting ring. All of the dogs were either chained or caged for isolation and had wounds that were in different stages of healing. Several other items of evidence were collected during the execution of a search warrant at the Reva Street residence, which included dog supplements and injectable medication often seen in organized dog fighting.”
With regards to PONDER, The Daytona Beach News-Journal reports that he has entered no-contest pleas to similar charges as part of a plea agreement and has yet to be sentenced. According to the conditional plea agreement, he will be sentenced to only two years in state prison followed by eight years probation and will be eligible for early termination of probation.
As for HOLMES, his case remains open. He also faces principal to cruelty to animal charges among other charges.
Commenting on the sentence, State Attorney R.J. Larizza said: “I hope other would-be proponents/participants in dog fighting activities and/or other acts of Animal Cruelty will take notice of the lengthy prison sentence. How we treat other living things is a reflection of our heart and soul. We will continue to aggressively prosecute and seek lengthy prison sentences for those who choose to commit such crimes.”
About GEATHERS, State Attorney R.J. Larizza stated: “This defendant has been a scourge in our community for too long. It is time to send him away for good.”
I want to say to Attorney Haynes, I understand your job was to defend a loser incapable of making honest money with an honest job, but using innocent dogs to make money is NO less of a crime than harming people!
~ Original story:
The Daytona Beach Police Department announced the arrest of three losers that need to get a job and leave innocent dogs alone!!!
Police say 33-year-old BENJAMIN PONDER, 50-year-old EARL HOLMES, and 53-year-old NOBLE GEATHERS, (pictured below), all of Daytona Beach, were arrested for running a dogfighting ring and their arrests were the result of a joint effort from Volusia County’s Animal Services Division, Halifax Humane Society, the City of Daytona Beach’s Animal Control Unit, the city’s Code Enforcement Division and the Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD).
PONDER, HOLMES, and GEATHERS each face a long list of felony charges, including animal cruelty, animal fighting, and practicing veterinary medicine without a license.
The charges came after DBPD obtained search warrants from a Volusia County judge to enter the properties on 225 & 227 Reva Street as well as an adjacent vacant lot during the early-morning hours of February 22, 2021.
There was a fence that had been put up illegally inside the vacant lot and officers had to tear it down so they could have access to the dogs.
Investigators found forty-two Pitbulls, eighteen puppies and twenty-four adult dogs.
Most of the furbabies were being kept outside in small kennels made of wood and wire, car carriers, or chained to car axles with little or no access to clean water, food, or shelter.
Many of them were living in areas that were caked with urine and feces and were wearing tight collars that officers had to cut off.
Many of the female dogs were breeding new puppies for fighting.
Many other dogs had healing cuts or wounds on their bodies consistent with dog fighting.
Police also said that officers discovered “medical records for the dogs which were maintained by the defendants along with various kinds of dog supplements and medications, including a type of medicine which is commonly used in organized dog fighting to boost red cell production as well as stamina and endurance.”
Officials removed:
11 male puppies
7 female puppies
20 adult female Pitbulls
4 adult male Pitbulls
All the furbabies were taken to Halifax Humane Society (HHS) for safe keeping.
It’s outrageous that a court forfeiture hearing later this week could determine if those dogs will be returned to the defendants or if they will be awarded to the police department.
I cannot believe that there is the possibility that these innocent souls might go back to that hell they have just been rescued from!
Only a sick judge could let that happen.
If the dogs will be awarded to the police department, then, DBPD would sign them over to HHS in the hopes some could be adopted out in the future.
HOLMES is charged with 10 counts of practicing veterinary medicine without a license and 10 counts of felony cruelty to animals.
He was booked at Volusia County Jail on March 3, 2021 and has remained there ever since.
GEATHERS, who detectives believe was the ringleader, is facing 35 charges, including 24 counts of animal fighting, 10 counts of felony cruelty to animals and one count of practicing veterinary medicine without a license.
He was booked at Volusia County Jail on March 9, 2021 and has since posted bond.
PONDER faces the same charges as GEATHERS, plus one count each of possession of cannabis with intent to sell, possession of cocaine with intent to sell and driving with a suspended/canceled/revoked license.
He was booked at Volusia County Jail on March 6, 2021 and has since posted bond.
Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.
Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.
Pictures shared from the Daytona Beach Police Department Facebook page.
Additional Sources:
Yes! Finally! Dogs win this one! “On the morning of Friday, May19, 2023, the Honorable Leah Case sentenced NOBLE GEATHERS to eighteen (18) years in Florida State Prison and fined him $10,000.” Now let’s get his two cohorts in cruelty to PRISON! Bless these dogs, each & every one.