A federal grand jury in Florence has indicted seven Chesterfield County residents on charges related to an alleged dog fighting operation that authorities say spanned nearly seven years.
The nine-count indictment charges the defendants with conspiracy to violate the Animal Welfare Act, possession of pit bull-type dogs for animal fighting ventures and unlawful possession of firearms.
According to the indictment, the alleged operation ran from September 2019 through July 2026. Prosecutors allege the defendants bred, housed and trained dogs intended for fighting and maintained equipment including treadmills, bite sticks, heavy chains and breeding stands.
Authorities seized more than 100 dogs and alleged dog fighting paraphernalia during investigations conducted between April and July 2026.
Avery Robinson, 36, was allegedly found with approximately 77 dogs during a June search, marking what authorities described as the largest single-property dog seizure in South Carolina history.
The other defendants include former Chesterfield County Sheriff’s deputy Lonnie Shane Gaskins, 28; Terry James Gaskins, 49; Shamar O’Ryan Sutton, 32; Derwayne Terry Miller Sr., 46; Derwayne Terry Miller Jr., 26; and Kevin Knotts, 46.
The defendants face up to five years in prison on animal welfare charges. Miller Jr. and Terry Gaskins could face up to 15 years on firearm charges.
The case was investigated by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
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