A former Chesterfield County sheriff’s deputy is among four men facing charges following a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division investigation into a dogfighting operation, with 34 dogs rescued from the scene.
SLED announced Thursday that it charged former Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Deputy Lonnie Shane Gaskins, 27, of Jefferson, with eight counts of Animal Fighting or Baiting, as well as Ill Treatment of Animals and Criminal Conspiracy. The charges were filed Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
Terry James Gaskins, 49, also of Jefferson, faces the most extensive charges in the case. He was charged with 23 counts of Animal Fighting or Baiting, along with Criminal Conspiracy, Ill Treatment of Animals, Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition by a Person Convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute, Manufacture, or Traffic a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, 1st Offense.
Two additional men, Shamar O’Ryan Sutton, 31, of Pageland, and Chris Hale Gaskins, 27, of Jefferson, were each charged with Criminal Conspiracy on the same date.
Investigation Details
According to arrest warrants, SLED executed a search warrant on April 28 at a residence in Jefferson, in Chesterfield County. Agents seized multiple pit bull type dogs that were evaluated by a veterinarian and determined to have been kept in a manner consistent with dogfighting operations. Many of the dogs exhibited scarring consistent with dogfighting injuries.
Warrants associated with Terry James Gaskins state that 27 pit bull type dogs were found at the residence, with the majority tethered by heavy logging chains and provided inadequate housing that failed to protect them from the elements. Of those 27 dogs, 23 had scarring injuries consistent with dogfighting.
A separate warrant against Lonnie Shane Gaskins describes a similar scene at his Jefferson residence, where seven pit bull type dogs were found chained by heavy logging chains and housed in conditions that failed to protect them from the elements.
Investigators stated that a large amount of physical and digital records seized by SLED indicated the dogs were owned for the purpose of fighting or baiting, including breeding to perpetuate dogfighting. According to one warrant, evidence included videos believed to depict Lonnie Gaskins in a dogfighting pit during an active, bloody dogfight, where he is heard encouraging the dogs to fight.
The conspiracy charge against Terry James Gaskins alleges he was operating “TTG Kennels” from his Chesterfield County address, where he is also believed to live with a co-conspirator who owns the property.
The firearms charge against Terry James Gaskins stems from agents locating a Ruger SR1911 with serial number 671-75039 during the search of an Angelus Road location in Jefferson. His criminal history includes a 2006 conviction for possession with intent to distribute, which prohibits him from possessing firearms. Agents also located approximately 575 grams of a green leafy substance consistent with marijuana during the same search.
The conspiracy warrant against Sutton alleges that, beginning on or about May 7, 2025, he routinely and actively participated in the promotion of multiple dogfighting ventures believed to be operated by his co-conspirators, and was observed engaging in the exchange of fighting dog pedigrees and the coordination of maintaining dogs owned for fighting.
Chris Hale Gaskins, 57, is alleged to have entered into an agreement with a co-conspirator regarding the level of care for dogs on his land beginning on or about January 26, 2026.
Booking and Prosecution
Shamar O’Ryan Sutton, Terry James Gaskins, and Chris Hale Gaskins were booked into the Chesterfield Detention Center. Lonnie Shane Gaskins was booked into the Sumter Lee Regional Detention Center.
The case will be prosecuted by the 4th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
SLED was assisted in the investigation by the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office. Humane World for Animals assisted in the rescue of the 34 dogs.
SLED noted that this is an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information can contact SLED at (866) 472-8477 or email [email protected].
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