WASHINGTON, DC: Frederick Douglass Moorefield Jr, a Pentagon communications official, was detained last week and accused of allegedly participating in a dogfighting ring in the Washington, DC, area for more than 20 years, Maryland authorities announced on Monday, October 2.
According to an affidavit submitted in US District Court in Baltimore, the official, 62-year-old Moorefield of Arnold, Maryland, was the Pentagon's deputy chief information officer for command, control, and communications.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Moorefield has worked for the Defense Department for 11 years.
Federal investigators accused Moorefield and co-defendant Mario Flythe, 49, of "promoting and furthering animal fighting venture."
The affidavit claims that Moorefield, Flythe, and their associates applied encrypted messaging services to talk about training the animals, sharing unpleasant videos, and placing wagers.
Moorefield and Flythe are accused of referring to their respective businesses as "Geehad Kennels" and "Razor Sharp Kennels," respectively, as reported by NBC News.
Frederick Moorefield allegedly engaged in dogfighting throughout his career
In his current role, Moorefield "provides technical expertise, oversight and broad guidance on policy, programmatic, and technical issues” relating to worldwide military communication networks and “advises on efforts to achieve and maintain information dominance for the Department of Defense," per the affidavit.
Moorefield's employment as a civilian employee for the Defense Department, which started in October 2008 when he was employed as director of strategic planning for the Air Force Spectrum Management Office, is alleged to have included dogfighting throughout.
Before assuming his current position in March 2020, he served in a number of leadership positions within the Pentagon during that time. According to the profile, he spent 9 years in the Air Force before exiting in 1998.
According to an earlier edition of the FBI, Moorefield was in charge of, among other things, formulating communication plans for the organization's "non-nuclear strategic strike" and "integrated missile defense," and providing advice for Defense Department policy and technical challenges.
Lt Cmdr Tim Gorman, a spokesperson for the Pentagon, stated that the DOD is "aware of the criminal complaint" but would not confirm if Moorefield was still in his job, per New York Post.
Moorefield and team allegedly involved in dogfighting for more than 20 years
Federal agents took custody of twelve dogs after searching Moorefield and Flythe's Maryland houses on September 6.
Investigators discovered veterinary steroids, a carpet that seemed to be blood-stained, an electrical outlet, and jumper wires, all of which, according to the affidavit, are consistent with equipment used to kill dogs that lose fights.
A weighted vest bearing the inscription "Geehad Kennels" and a training program were discovered during the search of Moorefield's residence.
Prior to the September 26 prosecution, the investigator alleged that Moorefield had been involved in dogfighting for more than 20 years.
Investigators found Moorefield listed at least 18 pups on a dogfighting pedigree website dating back to "at least 2002" when they searched his smartphone.
Per Daily Mail, officers noticed what seemed to be dog blood stains on the basement walls, as well as other stains and dog hair on massive wooden panels.
Authorities took seven canines resembling pit bulls from Flythe's Glen Burnie residence. They discovered weighted collars and a carpet mill during their quest for dogfighting equipment.
According to court documents, Flythe confessed to having taken part in dogfighting in the past during the search of his residence.
Moorefield also admitted using the alias "Geehad" during the search and claimed his barber had been monitoring his canines the weekend before.
He allegedly further misled investigators into believing that his residence had already been visited by and his dogs had been examined by animal control officials.
What are the charges filed against Frederick Moorefield?
According to the complaint, Moorefield is accused of traveling over state lines "in aid of racketeering enterprises," as well as engaging in animal fighting, promoting it, and conspiring to do so.
In the event that they are found guilty, Moorefield and Flythe could each receive a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison for owning, raising, or transporting animals for use in an animal fighting operation.
