TYLER, Texas (AP) _ An east Texas man arrested in a five-state dogfighting sting operation has pleaded guilty to a federal charge.
Harold D. Stewart of Beckville pleaded guilty Wednesday and faces up to three years in prison for conspiracy to engage in animal fighting. No sentencing date has been set.
The 41-year-old Stewart was among nine people arrested in Panola and Gregg counties in July. Nine dogs, mostly pit bull terriers, were seized in the raids.
Stewart’s case was part of an operation in which as many as 350 dogs were seized and about 30 people arrested in five states. Animal welfare groups called it the largest simultaneous raid in the U.S.
Beckville is about 150 miles east of Dallas.