Docs: Steroids, treadmill found at dog fighting home

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Twenty-two people accused of taking part in a dog fighting ring had their initial court hearing Wednesday morning.

24-Hour News 8 spoke with court officials who said it was a busier than usual morning because all the defendants were supposed to appear in Criminal Court 1 but were moved at the last moment to Criminal Court 9.

Court administrators had to hustle organizing court files and accommodating all the defendants on top of the other cases Judge Shatrese Flowers will be hearing Wednesday.

The probable cause affidavit and the charging documents outline the charges against the 22 people accused of taking part in a dog fighting ring. Charges range from promoting animal fighting to attending a bout.

Last Friday night, IMPD officers and federal agents moved in on a home on West 60th Street in Indianapolis. What they found were dogs with injuries that police say are associated with dog fighting.

Investigators also found a treadmill and steroids for the dogs, as well as drugs and weapons. Thousands of dollars in cash were also rounded up from the suspects.

Police say there was a fighting arena and bloody carpeting at the home.

24-Hour News 8 learned 21 of the defendants are out on bond and are expected back in court September 7 for a pre-trial hearing.

A 22nd defendant, Bobby Johnson, is the only person behind bars awaiting trial for two other unrelated cases of child molest and drunk driving.