Man agrees to plead guilty for participation in long-running southeastern Massachusetts dogfighting conspiracy

BOSTON – A Carver, Mass., man has agreed to plead guilty to his participation in a multi-year dogfighting conspiracy involving the breeding, training and fighting of dogs, as well as related animal cruelty and illegal gambling activities.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Justice, 49-year-old Corey Elliott has agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to participate in an animal fighting venture in violation of the federal Animal Welfare Act. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court. Elliott was arrested and charged in April 2026.

According to the charging document, the defendant participated in a long-running dogfighting conspiracy spanning several years and involving the breeding, training and fighting of dogs, as well as related gambling and animal cruelty offenses. The defendant and his co-conspirator allegedly maintained a close partnership over a period of years, during which they communicated extensively about dogfighting activities, including arranging fights, discussing outcomes, placing wagers and coordinating the acquisition, sale and conditioning of dogs for fighting purposes.

The United States also filed a civil forfeiture complaint against four pit bull-type dogs, seized in June 2025 from Elliott’s residence in Carver. As alleged in the civil forfeiture complaint, the seized dogs were housed separately in locked cage structures; several of the seized dogs had evidence of scarring; and, at the location where the dogs were seized, items commonly associated with an illegal dogfighting operation were found, including training equipment, veterinary supplies and dog fighting literature. The dogs are currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) being cared for by a USMS-contractor. Pursuant to the Animal Welfare Act, animals involved in violations of 7 U.S.C. § 2156 are subject to forfeiture to the United States.

The civil forfeiture complaint also alleges that Elliott messaged with another dogfighter through WhatsApp about training dogs to fight, the planning and results of dogfights, injuries sustained by and the death of fighting dogs and disposing of dog carcasses.

In June 2023, a search warrant was executed at the co-conspirator’s residence, which allegedly resulted in the seizure of multiple pit bull-type dogs and evidence consistent with dogfighting activity, including veterinary supplies, training equipment and implements associated with dogfighting. Analysis of electronic devices seized during the investigation allegedly revealed numerous videos and communications related to dogfighting, including messages between the defendant and his co-conspirator spanning several years.

To report animal fighting crimes, please contact your local law enforcement or the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General complaint hotline at: https://usdaoig.oversight.gov/hotline or 1-800-424-9121.

The charge of conspiring to participate in an animal fighting venture provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah Foley; Charmeka Parker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations – Northeast Region; Geoffrey Noble, Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; and Karen LoStracco, Director of Law Enforcement at the Animal Rescue League of Boston made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Massachusetts State Police; Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service; United States Marshals Service; Maine State Police; New Hampshire State Police; Massachusetts Office of the State Auditor; Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; and the Acton, Boston, Carver and Hanson Police Departments.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial Bennett of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case. Carol E. Head, Chief of the Asset Recovery Unit for the District of Massachusetts and Trial Attorney Caitlyn Cook of ENRD’s Wildlife and Marine Resources Section are prosecuting the civil forfeiture case.

The details contained in the charging document and civil forfeiture complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.