Franklin Man Charged with Dogfighting and Armed Robbery Charges
(KPEL News) - A Franklin man who was arrested back in December on a charge of armed robbery was arrested again recently, but this time for dogfighting and aggravated cruelty to animals, according to the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office.
Franklin Man Suspected in Armed Robbery Case
Officials with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office began investigating an armed robbery in Verdunville that happened on December 10, 2025. While investigating, they say they developed 41-year-old Jermaine Lavone Spain as a suspect in the crime.
Two Search Warrants Lead Investigators to Pit Bulls Believed Used in Dogfighting
As the armed robbery investigation unfolded, they learned Spain had pit bull dogs on his property. Two search warrants signed by a judge let officials into two homes in Spain, one in Centerville and one in Verdunville.
At the time of the execution of the search warrants, nine pit bulls were taken into custody. Officials say they found marijuana, THC capsules, and drug paraphernalia on him, and in a subsequent interview, officials say he admitted to selling drugs.
Spain, on January 22, 2026, was booked into the St. Mary Parish Jail on the following charges:
- Armed Robbery
- Nine counts of Pit Bull Violation
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
READ MORE: LOUISIANA MOTHER AND SON ARRESTED ON 28 CHARGES OF DOGFIGHTING
St. Mary Parish Detectives Find Pictures of Dogfighting, Injured Animals, and Dead Animals on Franklin Man's Phone
On those charges, Spain bonded out of jail. St. Mary Parish Sheriff's officials continued investigating. During their investigation, they say they found graphic images of dogfighting, injured animals, and dead animals.
On Tuesday, February 3, a detective with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop on Spain. At that time, he was arrested and taken to be booked into the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center. The man's bail was set at $235,000.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office says its investigation is ongoing.
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Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
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