Men from three states arraigned in dogfighting case

Martin Anderson of Indianapolis, left, Jimmy Laster of Ypsilanti, Michigan, and Charles Applewhite of the Detroit area, leave 1st District Court in Monroe, Michigan, after arraignments on dogfighting charges, Tuesday.

Twenty-three people on Tuesday were facing charges of one count of attending a dog fight, while another, Kevin Forbes, of Detroit, was arraigned on one count each of attending a dog fight and participating in a dog fight. Bond for Forbes, who is currently on parole for a home invasion out of Wayne County, was set at $100,000. County Prosecutor William Nichols said several of the defendants already have convictions in Michigan for attending a dog fight and were on probation at the time.

In addition to Forbes, those who were arraigned by Judge Mark Braunlich on Tuesday include: Martin Anderson, 30, of Indianapolis; Robert French, 34, Isaac Hyser, 34, and William Buchanan, 27, all from Fort Wayne, Ind.; Arden Dusz, 23, of New Boston, Mich.; Scottie Lawson, 43, of Pontiac, and Jimmy Laster, 31, of Ypsilanti, Mich. Others included: Delano Applewhite, 30, and Charles Applewhite, who are brothers from Detroit; Donald Broome, 52, of Allen Park, Mich.; Henry Douglas, 28, of Ypsilanti; Quitman Williams, 32, of Highland Park, Mich.; Shawn Colston, 38, of Detroit, and Richard Godbold, of Conyers, Ga.

A total of 26 people were arrested after federal agents, state police, and deputies descended on a Raisinville Township house 2 miles north of Ida about 1:30 a.m. Sunday after receiving a tip that it was the scene of a high-stakes dogfight.

Willie Fletcher, 32, of Detroit, and James Broome, 32, of Belleville, Mich. are each charged with one count of participating in dogfighting and attending a dog fight, felonies that carry four-year prison sentences. They remain in the Monroe County jail after court appearances on Monday. Donald Broome is James Broome's father.