Crime

Drug investigation led cops to find dog fighting in Jones County. Suspect pleads guilty

One of the homemade treadmills Dan Thomas Cleveland Jr. used to train dogs to fight in his Jones County home. He pleaded guilty to one count of marijuana possession, one count of gun possession and one count of dog fighting and will serve 10 years in prison.
One of the homemade treadmills Dan Thomas Cleveland Jr. used to train dogs to fight in his Jones County home. He pleaded guilty to one count of marijuana possession, one count of gun possession and one count of dog fighting and will serve 10 years in prison. Ocmulgee District Attorney T. Wright Barksdale

A Jones County man has pleaded guilty to being responsible for dog fighting, according to Ocmulgee District Attorney T. Wright Barksdale.

Dan Thomas Cleveland Jr. was indicted on multiple dog fighting charges, as well as marijuana and gun possession and theft on June 8, 2023. His case was expected to go to trial, according to the Ocmulgee District Attorney’s Facebook page, but Cleveland pleaded guilty to one count of marijuana possession, one count of gun possession and one count of dog fighting instead.

Barksdale’s office requested that Cleveland serve 20 years in prison, but Superior Court Judge Terry Massey sentenced him Wednesday to serve 10 years and spend 10 years on probation, Barksdale told The Telegraph.

The guns found in Dan Thomas Cleveland Jr.’s Jones County home, where authorities found roughly 20 dogs that were trained for dog fighting. He pleaded guilty to one count of marijuana possession, one count of gun possession and one count of dog fighting and will serve 10 years in prison.
The guns found in Dan Thomas Cleveland Jr.’s Jones County home, where authorities found roughly 20 dogs that were trained for dog fighting. He pleaded guilty to one count of marijuana possession, one count of gun possession and one count of dog fighting and will serve 10 years in prison. Ocmulgee District Attorney T. Wright Barksdale

Cleveland was caught as part of a drug investigation, said Barksdale. He also said that investigator Barron Hall executed a search warrant and found roughly 20 dogs in Cleveland’s backyard.

“We found weighted vests, collars, medicines, two treadmills and other items consistent with dog fighting,” Barksdale told The Telegraph. “Some dogs showed signs of injury.”

He also said that Cleveland’s phone contained videos of dog fighting. However, it is unclear how long he bred dogs for fighting.

Six bags of marijuana that were found in Dan Thomas Cleveland Jr.’s home, where they also found roughly 20 dogs that were trained in dog fighting. He pleaded guilty to one count of marijuana possession, one count of gun possession and one count of dog fighting and will serve 10 years in prison.
Six bags of marijuana that were found in Dan Thomas Cleveland Jr.’s home, where they also found roughly 20 dogs that were trained in dog fighting. He pleaded guilty to one count of marijuana possession, one count of gun possession and one count of dog fighting and will serve 10 years in prison. Ocmulgee District Attorney T. Wright Barksdale
Profile Image of Alba Rosa
Alba Rosa
The Telegraph
Alba Rosa, from Puerto Rico, is a local courts reporter for The Telegraph in Macon, Georgia. She studied journalism at Florida International University in Miami, Florida where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in December 2023. Other than journalism, she likes to make art, write and produce music and delve into the fashion world.
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