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State law enforcement officials said they have charged four Sumter County men in connection with a 2022 dogfighting incident in Richland County.
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The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division said in a Monday news release that it charged Andrew Jeffrey Bryant Jr., 39, Tevin V. Joyner, 32, and Orlando Raynell Coullette, 49, with criminal conspiracy, four counts each of animal fighting or baiting, and four counts each of ill treatment of animals.
SLED also charged Robert Brandon Hansley, 44, with criminal conspiracy, presence at a facility of animal fighting or baiting – first offense, four counts of animal fighting or baiting, and four counts of ill treatment of animals, the release said.
The state law agency also noted in its release that it rescued 19 dogs in connection with the case.
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According to affidavits provided by SLED, officers went on Sept. 24, 2022 to an address on Hallwood Road in Richland County to serve a search warrant. When officers arrived, people were standing around a pit watching two dogs fight, affidavits allege. A number of people were arrested that night, while others escaped.
The affidavits SLED released Monday alleged that Bryant, Joyner, Coullette and Hansley were among a group who organized the dogfighting event that night, which was referred to as the Carolina Classic.
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