Highlands attorney in fighting ring case: Release the dogs

The attorney of one of the defendants charged Dec. 6 in connection with what authorities say was a dog fighting ring in Sebring is asking the court to order the release of his client's animals, which authorities seized in a raid.

Responding to a complaint Dec. 6, Highlands County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested three people and recovered 16 dogs from two High Avenue homes in Sebring.

James Thomas Reed, of 207 Atterbury Drive in Sebring, was one of the three arrested that day, along with Ernest Reed, of 4819 High Ave., and Sylvester David Sims, of 4807 High Ave.

All three were charged with fighting or baiting animals and cruelty to animals. A fourth suspect, Quandra Brown, of 4807 High Ave., was arrested and charged a few days later.

* * * * *

As part of the continuing investigation, sheriff's detectives found and seized 29 dogs from James Reed's home Dec. 16, according to a Highlands County Sheriff's Office media release. Forty-five dogs in total were seized from three locations, the media release added.

In a motion filed Dec. 27, James Reed's attorney, John W. Kromholz, states that Highlands County Animal Control has no basis for seizing James Reed's animals, which were recovered in a location different from where the alleged Dec. 6 offense took place.

"No animals at the scene of the alleged criminal conduct were owned/cared for by the defendant," the motion adds. "All animals in Mr. Reed's care are in excellent health and condition."

Kromholz provided almost 30 pages of veterinarian records from Sebring Animal Hospital, of animals living and deceased, belonging to James and Wanda Reed.

The records "demonstrate great care for the beloved animals," the motion adds. "The seizure of the healthy dogs from the residence of Mr. Reed, which has no association with the alleged crimes set for in the Dec. 6 arrest, is unreasonable" and not necessary.

Attached to the motion were vet records of 12 living animals and 10 deceased ones. At least one went back to year 2000 and some were from as early as October of this year, court documents show. They included office visits, medications, boarding fees and on some occasions charges for health certificates and county tags.

Sebring Animal Hospital employees, for instance, saw deceased pit bull terrier, Zeus, several times in 2001 and 2000. There were more than 100 entries for Zeus, in connection with office visits, shots and medicines, court documents show.

More recently, there were 12 entries for a cur/pit bull that Sebring Animal Hospital employees examined on April 28 and 29. According to records, one of Reed's animals, Manne Pachego, was euthanized Oct. 21.

Authorities contend that James Reed was present at the 4807 High Ave. home with the other two defendants when Deputy Bret Hinkle was doing surveillance from a neighbor's house.

Two of the pit bulls authorities rescued that day were bleeding from the face and head and had several bite marks over their body, a Highlands County arrest report states. One of the dogs had a severely injured left front leg and appeared to be crippled from a very recent fight with another dog, the report adds.

The three also were charged with resisting a law enforcement officer without violence after they reportedly fled when one of the men gathered observed Hinkle watching them. The deputy chased them, eventually taking three into custody, a sheriff's office news release added.

During the investigation, authorities reported seeing a 10-foot-wide and 25-foot-long dog -fighting ring made of large truck tires in the backyard of 4807 High Ave.

Blood reportedly found on James Reed's and Sims' shoes appeared fresh and "consistent with the blood that was located on the back of the residence and tires," the report added.

The other pit bulls rescued that day reportedly were found at Ernest Reed's home. Reed told authorities he had several pit bulls in his backyard but denied fighting them, the report states.

Upon searching the properties, authorities also found syringes, wound medicine, a medical staple gun and various animal medicines, the report states.

Authorities reportedly found two treadmills at 4807 High Ave. that appeared to have animal hair, feces and urine on them, and a wooden container with an open floor. The treadmills were being used to train the animals, the arrest report adds.

* * * * *

James Reed is scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 5. He faces three charges. Cruelty to animals is a first-degree misdemeanor; selling, possession and use of animals to fight and bait is a third-degree felony; and resisting an officer without violence is a first-degree misdemeanor.

A Highlands County arrest report stated that he invoked his constitutional right against self-incrimination and did not answer authorities' questions.

Ernest and James Reed were both released on bail. Sims faced a warrant accusing him of violation of probation and was being held without bail, according to Highlands County Jail records. Sims appears to face fresh charges of felony illegal dumping Dec. 21, jail records show.