Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a St. Joseph, man was sentenced in federal court Feb. 22 for participating in a conspiracy to promote and participate in dog fights.
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Rick P. Hihath, 56, of St. Joseph, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith to 16 months in federal prison without parole. Following his prison term, Hihath must serve three years of supervised release, during which he is prohibited from owning or possessing any dogs and must serve 100 hours of community service. Hihath will surrender to begin serving his prison sentence on April 5.
This case was part of a multi-state investigation that resulted in additional defendants being charged in separate cases in three other districts and the federal seizure of hundreds of dogs during a series of coordinated raids on July 8, 2009.