JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville man accused of keeping nine dogs in poor conditions and using two properties for dogfighting has been convicted of multiple animal fighting and cruelty charges and now faces up to 65 years in state prison.
A Duval County jury on Thursday found Marquis Lamont Williams guilty of three counts of fighting or baiting animals and nine counts of animal cruelty, as well as possession of a controlled substance, illegally possessing or capturing an alligator or other crocodilian and possession of less than 20 grams of cannabis, according to the State Attorney’s Office for the 4th Judicial Circuit.
The case began May 20, 2025, when the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office SWAT and Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at Williams’ home on Orlando Avenue. During the search, investigators found six dogs showing signs of severe neglect, along with what the State Attorney’s Office described as “extensive [dogfighting] tools and paraphernalia” throughout the home and backyard.
Investigators also found a 9-foot alligator confined in a fenced area of the backyard without access to water, according to prosecutors.
Investigators turned their attention to a second property across the street after an Animal Care and Protective Services officer spotted an underweight dog tethered to a tree there, according to court records. The officer reported that the dog’s ribs and hip bones were visible, she was tethered with a heavy chain and had no access to drinking water.
When the officer returned the following day, the dog was still tethered outside and was excessively panting without access to water, according to an affidavit filed in the case. ACPS obtained a warrant to search the property, where authorities found three more dogs in what prosecutors described as “very poor condition,” as well as additional evidence of dogfighting.
Investigators later searched Williams’ cellphone and found additional evidence of illegal dogfighting, prosecutors said.
Williams was also convicted of illegally possessing or capturing an alligator or other crocodilian. The charging document accused him of hacing the animal without authorization from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The search that uncovered the animals also turned up drugs. Detectives reported finding marijuana and oxycodone in Williams’ truck, as well as cocaine and items containing cocaine residue inside his home, according to his arrest report.
Williams is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 17.
