CRAWFORD COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) —A Crawford County man is in custody following an alleged dog-fighting investigation involving the Georgia Department of Agriculture and multiple law enforcement agencies.

Robert James Hester was arrested on June 24 after tips led investigators to his Crawford County home, where they executed a search warrant.

What investigators found

Officials seized 23 dogs believed to have been used for fighting, along with multiple firearms, marijuana, and methamphetamine.

Charges

Hester faces state charges of possession of firearms by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of tools for the commission of a crime, and possession of methamphetamine.

He also faces federal charges related to alleged illegal dog fighting and firearms violations.

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper commented on the case.

“The Georgia Department of Agriculture has zero tolerance for illegal dog fighting and the cruelty it inflicts on animals,” Harper said.

Hester remains in the Crawford County Jail without bond.

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