A Glen Burnie man has been handed a federal prison sentence for his involvement in a multi-state dogfighting conspiracy that spanned several years. Mario Damon Flythe, 50, was sentenced to six months behind bars and six months of home detention, followed by three years of supervised release. In addition, Flythe was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and a forfeiture money judgment of $2,800, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland.
U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett imposed the sentence, which highlighted Flythe's ties to the same dogfighting enterprise as co-defendant Frederick Douglass Moorfield, Jr. Flythe was discovered to operate a kennel under the name "Razor Sharp Kennels," where he bred, trained, and kept dogs for the brutal practice of dogfighting. It has now come to light that Flythe communicated actively through instant messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram with others involved in illegal activity, often discussing the orchestration of dogfights, wagers, and even the evasion of law enforcement scrutiny.
Investigators found extensive evidence of Flythe's involvement in dogfighting through his cellphone records. He organized fights, specifying the weight and sex of the dogs he sponsored, while others matched their dogs or connected him with suitable opponents. These fights were planned weeks ahead, with terms including winner's fees and penalties for backing out.
Flythe prepared his dogs through a process called "keep," involving intense physical training, controlled diets, and illegal steroids. These fights often ended with the death of a dog or its forfeiture. Flythe also used CashApp to send and receive payments related to dogfighting.
U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron gave applause to the collaborative efforts of the FBI, Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Marshal Service, Anne Arundel County Police Department, Anne Arundel County Animal Control, and the Eastern District of Virginia U.S. Attorney's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Levin successfully prosecuted the case. The Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to extend its resources and focus on eradicating illegal activities, including animal cruelty.
