Tulsa man sentenced to 210 months in federal prison following prosecution for dogfighting
TULSA, Okla.— Animal Wellness Action today applauded federal prosecutors and law enforcement after Julius Deane Griffin of Tulsa was found guilty in federal court and sentenced to 210 months—17½ years—in federal prison in a case stemming from an extensive dogfighting operation uncovered last year.
The sentence represents one of the most consequential federal punishments imposed on a dogfighter and comes more than two decades after Griffin was convicted in a separate dogfighting case in state court.
“This is exactly the kind of punishment that chronic, repeat animal fighters should face,” said Kevin Chambers, Oklahoma state director for Animal Wellness Action and a national expert on animal fighting. “Griffin had already been convicted of dogfighting once, served a relatively short period in prison, and went right back to this vicious criminal enterprise. Today, the federal justice system sent a very different message: if you persist in dogfighting, you can lose years— even decades—of your freedom.”
Federal authorities arrested Griffin in April 2025 after executing a search warrant at his northwest Tulsa residence. Law enforcement seized 17 live pit bull-type dogs and one deceased dog, along with evidence authorities said was associated with dogfighting.
Several of the surviving dogs had missing or damaged body parts, scars, and open wounds consistent with fighting.
Investigators also seized ammunition, gun magazines, more than $16,000 in cash, approximately 20 cell phones and electronic devices, dogfighting trophies, treadmills, kennels, digital scales, injectable steroids, syringes and other dog medications. Authorities also reported finding controlled substances and evidence of Griffin’s promotion of his dogfighting operation through social media.
According to federal authorities, electronic evidence included communications, photographs and videos involving dogfighting, firearms and controlled substances. One video showed a child cheering during a dogfight. Griffin’s communications included discussions of dogs being killed and suffering catastrophic injuries during fights.
The case was particularly significant because Griffin was not a first-time offender.
In 2005, Griffin was convicted in Hughes County in connection with another major Oklahoma dogfighting case involving more than 40 dogs. He received a five-year state prison sentence but served only about two years.
When Griffin was arrested on the new federal charges in April 2025, Animal Wellness Action warned that modest sentences for serious animal-fighting crimes fail to deter repeat offenders.
“Without enforcement, our laws are just aspirations, and criminals ignore them and charge ahead with their cruelty and chaos,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. “A 210-month federal prison sentence tells dogfighters throughout Oklahoma and across the nation that these crimes can carry devastating consequences. Federal prosecutors and investigators deserve enormous credit for pursuing this case and seeing it through.”
Pacelle said the prosecution also underscores the importance of aggressive federal enforcement of the nation’s animal-fighting laws.
“Dogfighting is cold-blooded, calculated cruelty, and it is a criminal enterprise involving gambling, weapons, drugs and other forms of violence,” added Pacelle. “Taking repeat offenders out of circulation protects animals, children and entire communities.”
Animal Wellness Action praised the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, Creek County Sheriff’s Office, Tulsa Police Department, and the other agencies and organizations involved in the investigation, prosecution and care of the seized animals. Animal Wellness Action, the Oklahoma Alliance for Animals, and fellow animal advocates stood together in federal court today for the sentencing of Griffin.
“This case demonstrates what can happen when local and federal law enforcement agencies treat animal fighting as the serious organized crime that it is,” Chambers said. “Seventeen and a half years is a sentence that dogfighters will notice.”
Animal Wellness Action continues to urge federal authorities to expand enforcement of national animal-fighting laws and supports the creation of a dedicated Animal Cruelty Crimes Section within the U.S. Department of Justice to coordinate and prosecute major animal cruelty and animal-fighting cases nationwide.