MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that Kevin Brown, a 39-year-old man from Hempstead, was arraigned on several charges, including drug possession, weapons offenses, and animal fighting, following a search warrant executed at his residence. During the search, law enforcement officers recovered over 1,000 pills, many containing fentanyl, a loaded handgun, additional ammunition, and seven dogs, along with evidence indicating a dogfighting operation.
Brown, who was arraigned on March 12, 2025, before Judge Caryn Fink, faces a range of serious charges, including:
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree (Class A-II felony)
Three counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (Class B felony)
Six counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (Class B felony)
Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class C violent felony)
Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (Class D felony)
Criminal Possession of a Firearm (Class E felony)
Prohibition of Animal Fighting (Felony and Misdemeanor charges)
Brown pleaded not guilty, with bail set at $100,000 cash, $200,000 bond, and $500,000 partially secured bond. He was also ordered not to own or control any animals while the case is pending. If convicted, Brown faces up to 15 years in prison.
District Attorney Donnelly stated, “Selling dangerous drugs is often associated with the cruelty of dogfighting. This defendant allegedly possessed and sold pills containing enough fentanyl to kill over 65,000 people, while also housing and training seven pit bulls for fighting. These crimes show a blatant disregard for life, and we will not tolerate them in Nassau County.”
The investigation began in September 2024 when the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force became involved in an overdose investigation at the residence where Brown lived on Willow Avenue. After months of surveillance, law enforcement executed a search warrant in December 2024, recovering the following:
1,053 pills (weighing 116.8 grams), with 771 tested positive for fentanyl
84 additional pills (weighing 14.91 grams), with 47 testing positive for fentanyl
10 pills, one of which contained hydrocodone
A bag of powdery substance, identified as ketamine
A loaded .9mm Smith and Wesson handgun with eight rounds in the magazine
Another loaded magazine with eight rounds
Seven dogs were found at the property, housed in dirty, cluttered crates. Six of the dogs were tethered with heavy chains, and one was roaming the backyard. Several of the animals showed signs of abuse, including open wounds and scars indicative of dogfighting. Investigators also found equipment typically used in dogfighting, such as a spring pole and modified treadmill.
The Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NCSPCA) responded to the scene and confirmed the presence of dogfighting paraphernalia. One of the dogs had “cropped” ears, a common sign of fighting dogs, while three others had scars consistent with being trained for combat. The dogs, five males and two females, also showed signs of previous breeding for profit.
Brown was arrested in Seaford on December 3, 2024, by detectives from the NCPD’s Narcotics/Vice Squad.
District Attorney Donnelly praised the collaboration between the DEA, NCPD, the NCSPCA, and other law enforcement agencies. “Today’s indictment sends a clear message that we will not tolerate these illegal activities in our communities,” she stated.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Rivka Shuter of the Narcotics, Firearms, and Gangs Bureau and Senior Investigative Counsel Heather Kalachman of the Animal Crimes Unit. Brown is represented by Marc Gann, Esq.
The charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
