18 arrested in dog fighting investigation

CHURUBUSCO, Ind. (WANE) - Police in Whitley County acted on a tip that led to the arrest of eighteen people alleged to have taken part in a dog fighting competition.

Friday, police received a tip of a dog fighting contest that was set to take place Saturday at a home in Churubusco.

According to a police report, police investigated and obtained a search warrant for a home in the 900 block of East State Road 205.

At 11 p.m. Saturday, police raided the home occupied by 36-year-old Edward "Eddie" E. Smith.

Smith and seventeen additional individuals were taken into custody, according to the report.

Mug Shot Gallery: 18 arrests after dog fighting raid

Police said they found an injured and bloody pit bull type dog inside a fighting ring constructed of plywood in a garage. Two other dogs were located inside the home, including a second pit bull type dog that was injured and bloody. A younger dog was found with no injuries.

The individuals were charged with attending an animal fighting contest, a class A misdemeanor. Class A misdemeanors in Indiana carry a maximum of one-year in jail and a maximum fine of $5,000.

 Police said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending.  All of the accused are due in court for an initial appearance on Wednesday, January 3.

All three animals were taken by the Whitley County Humane Shelter. The shelter's director of operations, Lindsay Pease, sent NewsChannel 15 the following about the dogs:

We are taking donations for the dogs from Churubusco.  Dogs like this need medical care and equipment for mental stimulation.  We are focusing on their medical needs at this point.  Any determination on their future outcome would be made at a later date.  To make a donations to this fund please send them to Whitley County Humane Society,  RE: Churubusco Dogs, P.O. Box 245, Columbia City, IN 46725.

18 individuals charged after raid:

Marco C. Sole, 39, Chicago, Ill.

Alvegas R. Nelson, 31, Joliet, Ill.

Excell L. Hazzard, 44, Chicago, Ill.

John L. Patrick, 29, Joliet, Ill.

Chante L. Houlden, 33, Harvey, Ill.

Dwise R. Radcliffe, Sr., 41, Harvey, Ill.

Cortez A. Flowers, 37, East Chicago, Ind.

Kordi S. Williams, 41, Joliet, Ill.

John J. Abram, 32, Lansing, Ill.

Alden C. Parsons, 80, Evanston, Ill.

Robert A. Stouder, 32, Churubusco, Ind.

Donaver L. Jones, 42, Gary, Ind.

Darrell G. Thames, 50, Three Rivers, Mich.

Marlin L. Mitchell, 46, Matteson, Ill.

Rudolph H. Allen, 53, Chicago, Ill.

Mack A. Tucker, 41, Chicago, Ill.

Bambi Sue Langon, 46, Three Rivers, Mich.

Edward E. Smith, 36, Churubusco, Ind.