COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Joel J. Brown, a former defendant in the infamous Short North Posse gang case, is facing new federal charges following his indictment in December.
Brown, 37, has been charged with keeping 11 pit bull-type dogs for fighting purposes in Franklin County. The alleged offense occurred on May 15, 2024, according to the federal indictment.
Columbus Humane rescued the dogs, and law enforcement recovered tools typically used for training and maintaining dogs for fights. Additionally, authorities discovered a 12-gauge shotgun and methamphetamine during the investigation.
Brown was previously involved in the 2013 federal RICO case against the Short North Posse, a notorious street gang. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm related to drug trafficking. The gang was responsible for various violent crimes, including murder, robbery, and drug distribution, with many of its members sentenced for these offenses. The gang’s leader, Jermonte Fletcher, was killed by law enforcement officers after a shooting incident during his arrest.
If convicted of the current charges, Brown could face up to 40 years in prison on the drug charge, up to 15 years for the firearms charge, and a maximum of five years per animal fighting charge for each of the 11 counts. He is expected to have a detention hearing next week, with his arraignment scheduled for early February.
