FREEPORT, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — A 56-year-old man was sentenced on Wednesday to six months in jail for breeding and selling pitbulls for use in dogfighting, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced.
Lonnie Poindexter was also sentenced to five years probation.
Poindexter was indicted on June 24, 2022 and pleaded guilty on Sept. 18, 2024 to prohibition of animal fighting. He is prohibited from possessing any animals during the probation period, which will be enforced through spot checks by probation officers for the next five years.
According to the investigation, in 2020, investigators became aware that Poindexter was posting videos, photos and dog pedigree information online and offering pit bulls for sale. Poindexter used code words and terms known in the dogfighting community when offering the young dogs for sale.
Poindexter was arrested at his home in Freeport by members of the Nassau police in October 2021.
Investigators recovered six pitbulls used for breeding, a "rape stand", a treadmill, detailed pedigree paperwork and heavy chains – all consistent with dogfighting.
Further investigation revealed that Poindexter was breeding the animals for the purposes of dogfighting.
"This defendant bred dogs for the purpose of using them or selling them into the unconscionably cruel and illegal world of dogfighting. Exploiting innocent animals is something that my prosecutors profoundly refuse to tolerate," said DA Donnelly.
"Dogfighting is often linked to other dangerous and illegal conduct, including narcotics and weapons activity and is a threat to our communities. I continue to urge anyone in Nassau County who may be aware of dogfighting activity to contact my Animal Crimes Unit at 516-571-7755 and report it," he added.