Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Hempstead man was arraigned on drugs, weapons, and animal fighting charges after a search warrant executed on the residence where he lived recovered more than 1,000 pills – many of which were tested and shown to contain fentanyl – other narcotics, a loaded handgun, an additional magazine, and seven dogs along with paraphernalia indicative of dogfighting.
Kevin Brown, 39, was arraigned on March 12, 2025, before Judge Caryn Fink on charges of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree (an A-II felony); three counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (a B felony); six counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (a B felony); Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (a C violent felony); Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (a D felony); two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree (a D felony); Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree (an E felony); Criminal Possession of a Firearm (an E felony); two counts Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree (an A misdemeanor); 14 counts of Prohibition of Animal Fighting as a Felony (an E felony); and two counts of Prohibition of Animal Fighting as a Misdemeanor (a B misdemeanor).
The defendant pleaded not guilty, and bail was set at $100,000 cash, $200,000 bond, and $500,000 partially secured bond. The defendant was also ordered not to own or control any animals during the pendency of the case. He is due back in court April 30, 2025.
If convicted, the defendant faces up to 15 years in prison.
“Selling dangerous drugs is often associated with the cruelty of dogfighting, and this defendant allegedly possessed and sold pills containing enough fentanyl to kill more than 65,000 people while also housing, breeding, and training seven pit bulls to fight,” said DA Donnelly. “Both crimes show a blatant disregard for life and neither will ever be tolerated in Nassau County. My office is committed to holding those who deal in deadly opioids and subject animals to inhumane, dangerous conditions accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Today’s indictment against Kevin Brown is a result of the collaboration of our DEA New York team and law enforcement partners on Long Island to combat the continuous fentanyl crisis that is plaguing our neighborhoods,” said DEA New York Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “Pushing fentanyl-laced fake pills to those unsuspecting buyers, in furtherance of his heinous criminal activity, shows the severity of his crimes and total disregard to life. The DEA is committed to ensuring those who push illicit and synthetic narcotics face the consequences for their actions.”
“I commend the efforts of our members and law enforcement partners in this investigation, which has resulted in the arrest of a dangerous criminal who had no regard for either his community or the animals in his care. This arrest sends a clear message that we refuse to tolerate these illegal actions in our communities,” said New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James.
“The Nassau County Police Department works tirelessly to protect our residents from those who engage in illegal activities. We continue our efforts to rid our streets of illegal drugs and strongly discourage all drug activity in our county. In addition, animal abuse and animal breeding for profit will also not be tolerated,” said Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder.
“Animal fighting is one of the most barbaric acts of animal cruelty. On behalf of the animals of Nassau County we are grateful that District Attorney Anne Donnelly takes this and all animals crimes seriously. DA Donnelly is a great partner with us in protecting the animals of Nassau County,” said Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NCSPCA) President Gary Rogers.
DA Donnelly said that, according to the charges, members of the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Task Force became involved in an overdose investigation at the residence where Brown was living on Willow Avenue in September 2024.
Following months of surveillance, a search warrant was executed on the residence in December 2024 and recovered:
- A set of 1,053 pills, weighing approximately 116.8 grams, of which 771 were tested and found to contain fentanyl
- A set of 84 pills, weighing approximately 14.91 grams, of which 47 were tested and found to contain fentanyl
- A set of 10 pills, one of which was tested and found to contain hydrocodone
- A bag with a powdery substance, which was tested and found to contain ketamine
- A .9mm Smith and Wesson handgun loaded with eight rounds in the magazine
- An additional magazine loaded with eight rounds
Authorities also observed seven dogs housed in and around the property in dirty and cluttered wooden crates. Six of the seven dogs were tethered with what appeared to be heavy chains and collars, and one was roaming the backyard. Additional large collars were observed hanging from some of the fencing around the living structures, and the chained dogs did not have any visible access to food or water.
The Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NCSPCA) responded to the residence regarding possible animal crimes and observed a hanging spring pole, modified treadmill, and other animal fighting paraphernalia, all of which, combined with how the dogs were housed and chained, were indicative of a dogfighting training or breeding operation.
At least one of the dogs had an open wound, and the dog that was roaming in the backyard appeared to have “cropped” or intentionally cut ears, a common practice for fighting dogs.
Three of the other dogs had wounds that had recently healed. All seven dogs, five males and two females, were also found to have scars indicative of dogfighting around their muzzles and other areas on their bodies. The two female dogs both showed signs of previously breeding puppies.
Based on these observations, an additional warrant was obtained to seize the animals and fighting paraphernalia.
The defendant was arrested in Seaford on December 3, 2024, by detectives of the Nassau County Police Department’s Narcotics/Vice Squad.
The NCDA thanks the DEA, NCPD, NCSPCA, and DEA Task Force members from the New York City Police Department and New York State Police for their dedication and partnership in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Rivka Shuter of the Narcotics, Firearms, and Gangs Bureau under the supervision of Bureau Chief Nicholas Mauro, and Senior Investigative Counsel Heather Kalachman of the Animal Crimes Unit under the supervision of Bureau Chief Jeremy Glicksman of the Organized Crime and Rackets Bureau, under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Investigations Division Rick Whelan. The defendant is represented by Marc Gann, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.