ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A federal judge convicted a Virginia man from Stafford for his role in a dogfighting ring. On Monday, Mark Joseph Rodriguez was found guilty on a charge of conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture.
According to court records, from at least May 2015 through August 2020 Rodriguez and multiple co-conspirators from across the DMV used a messaging app private group to discuss training fighting dogs, exchange videos about dogfighting, and arrange/coordinate dog fights.
The group was also used to compare methods of killing dogs that lost fights, circulate media reports of conspirators that were caught by police, and devise methods/plans to avoid getting caught themselves.
Over the course of the five years listed above, Rodriguez actively arranged and officiated dog fights. He would also update the group message with results, details of the fights, and explanations of his refereeing decisions.
Rodriguez’s conviction comes after six of his co-defendants pleaded guilty to the same charge. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Rodriguez's sentencing is scheduled for July 2.
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