Paterson couple pleads not guilty to dog-fighting charges

A Paterson couple pleaded not guilty Monday to animal cruelty charges for allegedly running what authorities mentioned was a single of the largest dog-fighting operations in New Jersey.

Caurie Swinger and Ashley Bryant are charged with maintaining dogs in cages in a Paterson property and making use of the animals for fighting.

Investigators performed a narcotics raid in April on a Van Blarcom Street residence exactly where Swinger lived, and discovered 18 young pit bulls crammed in cages, authorities said. They also identified 4 dead dogs stuffed in garbage bags, they said.

Swinger, 21, and Bryant, 32, mentioned absolutely nothing at the hearing Monday in Superior Court in Paterson, where their attorneys entered not-guilty pleas on their behalves.

Swinger and Bryant are each and every charged with 18 counts of animal cruelty, four counts of animal cruelty resulting in an animal’s death, and a single count of fighting animals.

They are also charged with criminal weapons possession and possession of drugs with intent to distribute.

The weapons charge carries a sentence of up to ten years in prison, although the remaining counts carry prison terms ranging from 18 months to 5 years.

Swinger’s attorney, Peter Festa, and Bryant’s attorney, Adolph Galluccio, mentioned they intend to file motions inside the subsequent month to suppress proof obtained from the raid.

Festa stated the case against his client started with a tip from a confidential informant who told police that drugs had been becoming sold out of the Van Blarcom Street home. That data supplied the basis for a warrant to search the household, he mentioned.

“We will challenge the reliability of the informant and the details contained in the search warrant,” he said right after Monday’s hearing.

Galluccio mentioned his client has insisted that she is innocent.

“It’s just a question of becoming in the wrong spot at the wrong time,” Galluccio stated.

Judge Bruno Mongiardo scheduled the subsequent hearing for Oct. 27. Swinger and Bryant stay free of charge on $50,000 bail every single.

John DeCando, Paterson’s animal manage officer, has stated the dog-fighting took place in an upstairs bedroom of the residence, exactly where the walls have been blood spattered.

The rescued dogs have given that been adopted by way of Second Likelihood Pet Adoption League, DeCando said.

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