Man Indicted On Numerous Drug, Weapon, Animal Fighting Charges: DA

MINEOLA, NY — A Hempstead man has been arraigned on drug, weapons and animal fighting charges after a search of his residence recovered more than 1,000 pills, a loaded handgun and seven dogs with paraphernalia connected to dogfighting, prosecutors announced.

Kevin Brown, 39, was indicted on Wednesday on numerous charges, including second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, fourth-degree conspiracy, criminal possession of a firearm and 14 counts of prohibition of animal fighting as a felony, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said.

Brown pleaded not guilty, and bail was set at $100,000 cash, $200,000 bond, and $500,000 partially secured bond.

"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 Donnelly. "Both crimes show a blatant disregard for life and neither will ever be tolerated in Nassau County."

Donnelly said that, according to the charges, members of the Nassau County Police Department and Drug Enforcement Agency 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 and officials said they recovered:

• A set of 1,053 pills, weighing approximately 116 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, Donnelly said.

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.

“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.

As part of the arraignment, Brown was also ordered not to own or control any animals during the pendency of the case. He is due back in court April 30.

If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.