UPDATE: Kent Co. man sentenced 7 years

A Kent County man will spend the next seven years in prison for drug sales, weapons possession, and dog-fighting.

When the sentence came down Tuesday, it was not clear what happened to the 67 pit-bulls taken from the Houston property. 47 ABC confirmed Wednesday they were all euthanized.

In 2013, 33-year-old Dawan Nelson was arrested after authorities reportedly found 33 kilograms of cocaine, two loaded semi-automatic pistols, and the dogs.

According to prosecutors, the maximum sentence for dog-fighting is five years. Of the seven years Nelson will be serving, only one year is for the dog-fighting charges. We’re told this is because drug possession and intent to sell them were the prevailing charges.

Nelson pleaded guilty August 2014 to all of the charges.

It’s not clear whether more arrests are expected, but Assistant U.S. attorney
Edmond Falgowski tells us anyone caught assisting with dog-fights can also face the maximum penalty.

“If you were a lookout for the police to make sure the dogs don’t show up or if you let people do this on your property, then you’re aiding dog-fighting so you’d be subject to five years in jail.” Explains Falgowski.

Nelson reportedly owned the Houston property where the crimes were committed, but we’re told the government is seeking to forfeit it.