HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — A Long Island man accused of selling fentanyl and promoting dog fighting was arraigned on a 34-count indictment on Wednesday after the execution of a search warrant at his home yielded drugs, weapons and mistreated animals.
Members of the Nassau County Police Department and Drug Enforcement Agency Task Force became involved in an overdose investigation based at Kevin Brown’s Hempstead residence on Willow Avenue, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said. After months of surveillance, a search warrant was executed in December 2024.
During the search authorities seized over 1,100 pills, many of which contained fentanyl; a bag of a powdery substance, which contained ketamine; a loaded .9 mm Smith and Wesson handgun with eight rounds in the magazine; and an additional loaded magazine with eight rounds.
Officials also observed seven dogs housed in and around the property in dirty and cluttered wooden crates without visible access to food or water, prosecutors said. Six of the animals were tethered with heavy chains and collars, one was roaming the backyard and additional large collars were seen hanging from nearby fencing.
The Nassau County SPCA responded and discovered a hanging spring pole, modified treadmill and what prosecutors called “other dog fighting paraphernalia,” indicating a dog fighting training or breeding operation.
At least one of the dogs had an open wound, and the animal left in the yard appeared to have cropped ears, which is common in fighting dogs. Three of the other dogs had recently healed wounds, and all seven dogs had scars indicative of dog fighting.
The two female dogs showed evidence of breeding.
Brown, 39, was arrested in Seaford on Dec. 3 and is charged with numerous drug, weapons and animal fighting charges.
He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Wednesday, and bail was set at $100,000 cash or $200,000 bond. Prosecutors said he was also ordered not to own or control any animals during his case.
“Selling dangerous drugs is often associated with the cruelty of dogfighting, and this defendant allegedly possessed and sold pills containing enough fentanyl to kill more than 65,000 people while also housing, breeding, and training seven pit bulls to fight,” Donnelly said. “Both crimes show a blatant disregard for life and neither will ever be tolerated in Nassau County.”
If convicted, Brown faces 15 years in prison. He is expected back in court on April 30.