Monroeville man sentenced to 2 years in connection to dogfighting ring

A Monroeville man has been sentenced to two years in prison following a guilty plea to 17 charges related to operating a dogfighting ring. 

An announcement from U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson authorities began investigating the defendant, Gecoby Penn, when they received a tip in July of 2023. 

A search warrant was executed on Aug. 3 in which authorities seized 38 dogs. A number of them were found to have injuries consistent with dogfighting. Though veterinarians treated them, 22 had to be put down, the announcement said. 

The search also yielded "modified treadmills (manual and electric) for dog fight conditioning, injectable veterinary canine medications and syringes, a weighted dog vest, chains and weighted collars, a 4-wheeler mounted running collar, a Flying Jinny rotary runner, a training pool, a dogfight corral with bloodstains, a wooden arena, and canine remains."

The dogs were also reportedly subject to inhumane treatment by being tied up in hot weather with no access to shelter or water.  

Penn was ordered to pay $62,408.06 in restitution to the Monroe County Animal Shelter, $2,348 to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, and $1,700 in special assessments.

He will be placed on a three-year term of supervised release after serving time, during which he will be prohibited from owning any dogs.