Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies have arrested a Natchitoches man in connection with a possible dogfighting scheme near the Marthaville community in Natchitoches Parish; while another is being sought according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Victor Jones Jr.
On Thursday evening August 6th at approximately 11:15pm, Deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Division were patrolling on La. Hwy 120 near the Natchitoches-Sabine Parish line in Marthaville, La., when they observed suspicious activity at a vacant mobile home.
Deputies say recent burglaries in the area, prompted Deputy Kenny Vines to stop and investigate the matter further.
While checking the area, deputies came in contact with a person in the driveway identified as Kerry T. Kahey.
Deputies say while speaking with Kahey they asked him if he was alone he responded “yes” although they could hear additional activity behind the residence along with dogs barking which made the deputy believe criminal activity existed.
Shortly thereafter, deputies made contact with an individual identified as Ronald Payne.
Both subjects were acting extremely nervous.
Additional NPSO units were enroute to assist.
While the deputy was in his unit attempting to obtain background checks on both individuals, Payne who has an extensive criminal history began walking towards the deputy, while Kahey ran to a nearby Ford F-150 grabbed an unknown object and ran into some nearby woods.
When additional units arrived on the scene to assist, they observed suspected marijuana in plain view on the seat of the truck.
While deputies were attempting to locate Kahey, they observed several trails and several pit bulldogs stacked in various areas around the property including other items commonly used in dogfighting operations.
Natchitoches Multi-jurisdictional Drug Task Force agents also responded to the scene.
Deputies continued to search the area for Kahey but were unable to locate him at that time.
Deputies applied for and obtained a search warrant for the property and buildings signed by a Tenth Judicial District Court Judge.
During a search of the mobile home, property and buildings, deputies seized thirteen (13) pit bulldogs varying in ages, some with minor visible scarrings, two dog treadmills to build animal strength and speed, assorted chains,harnesses,pulleys, assorted vitamins, protein, a unknown substance believed to be creatine to build muscle mass, 1000 watt generator, portable kennels to transport dogs and a Black Diamond AR-15 semi-automatic rifle stolen in a theft at Nichols Store in Many, La. on March 26th, 2015.
The Ford F-150 is also being held as evidence. The weapon will be released to Many Police at a later date. The dogs were transported from the scene by NPDC animal control and are currently being housed at the Natchitoches Detention Center.
Animal control officers report the dogs are friendly to humans but do attack the other dogs on sight.
As a result of the investigation, deputies have arrested:
Ronald C. Payne Jr., 44, of the 1500 block of Pauline Street, Natchitoches, La., booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Dogfighting, Cruelty to Animals, Possession of Marijuana-2nd Offense, Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm and Probation Violation.
Payne remains in the Natchitoches Detenton Center with bond set at $55,000.
Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies are still looking for the second suspect that fled in the woods in dogfighting investigation:
Kerry Turman Kahey, B/M, 37, Hgt/511, Wgt/240, Hair/Blk, Eyes/Brown, with tattoos on his Right arm, Left forearm, Left arm of the 100 block of Rock Creek Road, Marthaville, La. with ties to the Natchitoches and Sabine Parish wanted by the NPSO for Dogfighting, Cruelty to Animals, Possession of Marijuana, and Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm.
If you see Kahey, contact the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office at 352-6432 or your local law enforcement agency.
If you have any information regarding this investigation, please contact Detective Carey Etheredge of the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division at 318-357-7830.
Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies previously uncovered a dogfighting operation near Natchitoches on April 17th, 2015 when twenty-three bulldogs were seized resulting in two arrests.
Involve in the investigation and arrest were: Deputy Kenneth Vines, Detective Carey Etheredge assisted by the NPSO Patrol Division, Natchitoches Multi-jurisdictional Drug Task Force, Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and Many Police Department.
