SLED Rescues 47 Dogs, Seizes Guns, Drugs and Cash; Four Men Charged in Multi-County Dogfighting Operation

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has rescued 47 dogs and charged four men in connection with an alleged multi-county dogfighting and narcotics operation spanning Chester and Lancaster counties.

According to SLED, investigators executed search and arrest operations on Thursday, November 6, 2025, resulting in the seizure of dogs, guns, drugs, and cash, and a series of felony charges tied to animal fighting, animal cruelty, criminal conspiracy, and drug trafficking offenses.

Those charged include:

• Diara Charles Talford, 33, was charged with seven counts of Animal Fighting or Baiting, two
  counts of Ill Treatment of Animals, Criminal Conspiracy, Possession of a Firearm, and Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime, two counts of Trafficking in Cocaine – 10 grams or More but Less than 28 grams – 3rd Offense, Distribution of Cocaine Base – 3rd Offense, and other related drug charges.
• Devin Dashaud Mobley, 32, was charged with ten counts of Animal Fighting or Baiting,
  Ill Treatment of Animals, Criminal Conspiracy, and a related drug charge.
• Zion Damir Hairston, 22, was charged with ten counts of Animal Fighting or Baiting and
  Criminal Conspiracy.
• Nicos Kendrell Little, 37, was charged with eight counts of Animal Fighting or Baiting,
  Criminal Conspiracy, and Ill Treatment of Animals.

SLED reports that all 47 dogs recovered during the operation have been placed with Humane World for Animals to receive veterinary care and evaluation while the investigation continues.

The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, Chester County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) assisted SLED in the case, underscoring what authorities describe as a coordinated effort to dismantle organized animal fighting and associated criminal activity in the region.

Talford and Mobley were booked into the Chester County Detention Center, while Little and Hairston were booked into the Lancaster County Detention Center. The cases will be prosecuted by the 6th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.