SCRANTON — On November 5, 2026, Brandon Crum, 40, a resident of Hazle Township, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 148 months in federal prison by Senior United States District Judge Robert D. Mariani. Crum was convicted on charges related to methamphetamine distribution and involvement in organized dog fighting.
The sentencing followed Crum’s guilty plea to distributing methamphetamine and possessing and training animals for participation in an animal fighting venture, specifically dog fighting. The investigation originated from a drug probe that uncovered Crum’s role in distributing substantial quantities of methamphetamine.
During the execution of a search warrant at Crum’s Hazle Township residence, law enforcement officers discovered approximately 21 pit bull-type dogs housed in separate cages throughout the home and backyard. The search yielded numerous items associated with organized dog fighting, including specialized dog training equipment such as a weighted collar, a treadmill, and a spring pole.
Additionally, authorities seized medical supplies indicative of treating injuries sustained in dog fights, including multiple intravenous fluid bags, surgical sutures, and other wound care materials. A veterinary examination confirmed that at least eight of the dogs bore wounds and scarring consistent with participation in organized dog fighting.
Judge Mariani, in imposing the sentence, characterized Crum’s dog fighting offenses as “outrageous, inhumane, [and] savage,” underscoring the severity of the crimes.
This prosecution was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice initiative that coordinates federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement efforts to combat violent crime and enhance community safety. PSN emphasizes swift federal responses to violent offenses, strategic partnerships across law enforcement agencies, and accountability through prosecution of serious crimes.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle A. Moreno handled the prosecution of the case.
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Hazle Township Man Receives 148-Month Sentence for Meth Trafficking and Organized Dog Fighting Brandon Crum of Hazle Township, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 148 months in federal prison for methamphetamine trafficking and orchestrating a dog fighting operation. The case, investigated by the DEA and Pennsylvania... Read the full WLF article: https://worldlawyersforum.org/news/hazle-township-man-receives-148-month-sentence-for-meth-trafficking-and-organized-dog-fighting