Frederick D. Moorefield Jr., Deputy Chief Information Officer at the Pentagon, has been charged with running an illegal dog fighting ring out of his Arnold, Maryland home. The Justice Department has accused Moorefield of promoting and furthering an animal fighting venture.
On September 6, federal agents raided Moorefield’s home, where they found evidence of the illegal operation. This included battery jumper cables, five pit bulls, weighted collars, heavy metal chains, breeding equipment, and bloodstains consistent with dog fights.
According to the DOJ, Moorefield referred to his dogfighting operation as “Geehad Kennels,” while his co-conspirator, Mario Flythe, called his venture “Razor Sharp Kennels.” The complaint states that the men used encrypted messaging to communicate with others across the US about dogfighting and to keep the operation a secret.
During the raid, investigators also discovered electrical equipment and jumper cables that are typically used to execute dogs, as well as veterinary steroids, training schedules, and a carpet stained with blood. The pair also discussed betting on dogfights, dogs that died as a result of the fights, and shared media reports about other dogfighters who had been caught by law enforcement.
The duo now face charges that could result in up to five years in prison. The FBI, the United States Department of Agriculture-Office of the Inspector General, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the US Marshals Service, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, Anne Arundel County Animal Control, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia assisted with the investigation.
Moorefield’s job at the Pentagon was to provide strategic direction, policy guidance, and oversight for the acquisition and implementation of command, control, and communications capabilities. However, his bio appears to have been removed from Pentagon websites, and his position is now held by an acting official.
According to Task and Purpose, Moorefield had been working at the Pentagon since 2008 and had previously held positions at Wright Patterson Air Force Base for 19 years. It is unclear how long the alleged illegal dogfighting operation has been running or if it has any connection to his work at the Pentagon.
The Justice Department did not comment on the case, and it is unclear if Moorefield and Flythe have legal representation. As the case unfolds, more details about the extent of the illegal dogfighting operation are likely to surface.
In the meantime, Moorefield remains in custody, and Flythe is out on bond. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies will continue to investigate the case, and additional charges may be filed as more information is uncovered.
The Pentagon has not released a statement regarding Moorefield’s arrest, and it is currently unknown if his employment status at the agency will be affected by the charges. As a high-ranking official, his involvement in such an activity is deeply concerning and raises questions about ethical standards within the Department of Defense.