Ray Starks Bobby Lee Roberts Ruben Anderson, III James Lee Cobb, III Mark Laketh Jackson

Dog fighting ring busted

Thonotasassa, FL Hillsborough County

August 11, 2006

80-year old Ray Starks faces multiple counts of dog fighting and animal cruelty charges after the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Department raided two Hillsborough County homes.  Expecting to find animals, they also found $80,000 worth of cocaine and marijuana and weapons inside those homes.  Deputies say the man behind the ring is 80-years old and from the condition of the dogs, they believe it his has been going on for a long time.

  (Photo courtesy of ABC Action News)

Deputies state that 15 pit bulls found locked in cages and on chains at the home were bred to fight. Some were wounded and frail.  They bore the scars and injuries of fighting – some of the wounds severe and infected.  Animal workers stated they were living in filth.  The animals were seized from the two Thonotasassa homes on Thursday night, August 10^th.

Animal Services’ Dennis McCullough stated that the dogs were on concrete pads – many of them had no shelter and no water.  Some of the animals were emaciated.  Animal Services stated that the Pit Bulls would most likely be put down.

The deputies found 339 grams of crack cocaine, 269 grams of powder cocaine, 9 grams of marijuana and $4,850 in cash along with 2 semiautomatic handguns.

Authorities also arrested 4 other men – Bobby Lee Roberts age 23, faces charges of cocaine and marijuana possession.  Ruben Anderson age 28 of 905 Providence Lake, Brandon, faces charges of armed trafficking in cocaine and a felon in possession of a firearm.  James Lee Cobb, III age 28 of Tampa faces charges of possession of cocaine with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia.  Mark Laketh Jackson of 11665 US 301N where 7 other pit bulls were being held faces charges of possession of cocaine.  None of these men were charged with animal cruelty.

One neighbor stated she has called the Sheriff’s office several times because of problems at the homes.  She further stated that it was no secret the dogs were there, but that she had no idea just how many were being kept behind the fences.

Starks was accused of attempted 1st degree murder in 1983 but the charges were later dropped.  In 1995 Starks received 2 years probation for cocaine possession and in 1996, he received another 2 years of probation for cocaine possession.

Starks personal pets - a Chihuahua, 2 rabbits, a cockatiel and 2 parakeets were also confiscated, but appear to be in better condition than the pit bulls.

Update January 18, 2007:

Starks plead guilty of misdemeanor cruelty charges and sentenced to 12 months probation (case #2006CM25121).  He cannot own animals while on probation.  Starks will serve no jail time.  The 4 other men were convicted of drug charges.

Reference:

ABC Action News

St. Petersburg Times

Tampa Tribune