Florida man faces up to 5 years for dogfighting conviction

TAMPA, Fla. – A Florida man has been convicted of a participating in a dogfighting operation.

Court records show that 32-year-old Tyler McGovern pleaded guilty in Tampa federal court this week to a felony dogfighting count, which is outlined in the federal Animal Welfare Act. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

No sentencing date was immediately scheduled.

A plea agreement says McGovern was part of a group called the Triangle Gang that arranged for pit bulls to fight in three counties in 2015 and 2016. Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant in March 2017 at a Sumter County property, where they reported seizing eight dogs, along with equipment and supplements used to condition the dogs for fighting.