Frederick Douglass Moorefield, Jr., a Deputy Chief Information Officer for Command, Control, and Communications at the Office of the US Secretary of Defense, has been arrested and charged with operating a dogfighting ring that spanned over two decades, as announced by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Moorefield, aged 62, a resident of Arnold, Maryland, was taken into custody alongside Mario Damon Flythe, aged 49, from Glen Burnie, Maryland. Both individuals are now facing federal charges related to promoting and advancing an animal fighting enterprise.
The criminal complaint was filed on September 21, 2023, and was made public during the defendants’ initial court appearances on Thursday, September 28, 2023.
U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Mark Coulson ordered the release of both defendants under the supervision of U.S. Pretrial Services, pending trial.
The investigation unveiled that Moorefield and Flythe utilized encrypted messaging apps to communicate with individuals across the United States regarding dogfighting activities.
Moorefield operated under the alias “Geehad Kennels,” while Flythe used “Razor Sharp Kennels” to identify their respective dogfighting operations. Their discussions encompassed training techniques, the exchange of dogfighting videos, coordination of dogfights, and even betting on these events. They also shared media reports concerning the apprehension of dogfighters by law enforcement.
On September 6, 2023, law enforcement executed search warrants at the residences of Moorefield and Flythe in Maryland.
During the operation, twelve dogs were rescued and seized by federal authorities. Additionally, investigators discovered veterinary steroids, training schedules, a carpet stained with blood, and a weighted dog vest bearing the inscription “Geehad Kennels.”
Authorities also seized a device consisting of an electrical plug and jumper cables, suspected of being used to euthanize dogs involved in dogfights.
In the event of a conviction, both Moorefield and Flythe could face a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for their involvement in possessing, training, or transporting animals for participation in an animal fighting enterprise.
Regarding Moorefield’s status within the Department of Defense, Pentagon spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Tim Gorman stated that the department was aware of the criminal complaint.
Gorman confirmed that Moorefield was no longer in the workplace but refrained from providing further details on individual personnel matters.
“We can confirm that the individual is no longer in the workplace, but we cannot comment further on an individual personnel matter,” Gorman said.
An affidavit authored by FBI Special Agent Ryan C. Daly revealed that authorities had been investigating this dogfighting ring, known as “the DMV Board,” for several years. Last year, nine other individuals involved in the ring were indicted in Virginia, with eight subsequently pleading guilty and cooperating with investigators.
Online records indicated Moorefield’s involvement in dogfighting dating back to at least 2002, with evidence showing his participation in training dogs for fights and refereeing other owners’ dog fights. Some of these fights even took place earlier this year, despite the arrests of other ring members. The affidavit noted that Moorefield and Flythe had been experimenting with various performance-enhancing drugs to increase their chances of winning dogfights.
