TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – A Waskom man is federally charged with crimes relating to an alleged dogfighting operation.
Anthony Blake Hanks, 39, has been charged with conspiracy to violate the animal welfare act and possess a dog for use in an animal fighting venture. According to a Friday filing with the Eastern District of Texas federal court, Hanks was found in possession of 49 dogs and a large amount of dogfighting equipment on his Waskom property in February of last year.
In relation to the first charge, Hanks is believed to have conspired with others to sell, buy and train dogs for the purposes of fighting and gambling. The section of the court filing for this charge lists numerous occurances from March 26, 2020, to Feb. 2, 2023, in which Hanks is alleged to have set up fights, purchased and sold dogs, and used equipment to breed and train dogs for the purposes of fighting.
According to the document, the second charge accuses Hanks of forcing at least one dog to fight another for entertainment.
The document says Hanks faces a minimum fine of $250,000, a jail sentence of up to five years and supervised release for up to three years for each charge.
Hanks is next set for a plea hearing Wednesday before Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne.
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