Bond Set for Mississippi Man Charged in Massive Dog Fighting Ring

GULFPORT, Miss. (Associated Press) - Bond has been set at $25,000 for a Biloxi, Miss., man arrested in a federal investigation of dog fighting and gambling.

Ricky Van Le was among 12 people arrested by federal authorities Friday in an investigation into organized dog fighting and gambling in the Southeast. The defendants allegedly conspired to promote and sponsor dog fights and arranged for dogs to be at the fights in several south and east Alabama counties and in Holly Springs, Miss., between 2009 and 2013.

A total of 367 pit bulls were seized in three states. An FBI agent testifying at Le's bond hearing Tuesday in federal court in Gulfport says Le claims 49 dogs seized in Jackson County were his.

Le will be arraigned this week in federal court in Montgomery, Ala.