MINEOLA, N.Y. — A Freeport man was sentenced Wednesday to six months in jail and five years’ probation for breeding and selling pit bulls for use in dogfighting, Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced.
Lonnie Poindexter, 56, pleaded guilty in September 2024 to one count of prohibition of animal fighting, an E felony, before Judge David Sullivan. As part of his sentence, Poindexter is prohibited from owning any animals during his probation, with compliance monitored through unannounced inspections by probation officers over the next five years.
“This defendant bred dogs for the purpose of using them or selling them into the unconscionably cruel and illegal world of dogfighting,” said Donnelly. “Dogfighting is often linked to other dangerous and illegal conduct, including narcotics and weapons activity, and is a threat to our communities.”
The investigation began in 2020 when authorities discovered that Poindexter was posting videos, photos, and pedigree details of pit bulls online, using coded language recognized within the dogfighting community. He was arrested at his home in October 2021 following a search that uncovered six pit bulls, a rape stand, a treadmill, chains, and detailed breeding records.
Authorities urged the public to report any suspected dogfighting activity to the Nassau County Animal Crimes Unit at 516-571-7755.