Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 49-year-old Shondel Stephens of 61 Monroe Street in Buffalo pleaded guilty before State Supreme Court Justice Russell P. Buscaglia to Prohibition of Animal Fighting. 

Stephens was using his residence as a facility to train pit bulls for dogfighting.  On or about August 31, 2016, SPCA agents entered the defendant’s home on a search warrant.  The agents located two severely injured pit bull dogs and animal fighting paraphernalia used to train dogs for the blood sport of dogfighting.  

Stephens faces up to 4 years in prison when he is sentenced on June 25, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. by Justice Buscaglia. 

DA Flynn commends SPCA Agents Christina Vitello and Richard Rosenberry and Veterinarian Dr. Helene Chevalier for their thorough investigation. 

Assistant District Attorney Justin T. Wallens of the DA’s Animal Cruelty Unit prosecuted the case.