Evidence
SHARK has uploaded to Dropbox evidence of both cockfighting in Lee County as well as inaction on the part of law enforcement to enforce the laws of Mississippi against cockfighting. This evidence includes drone footage of pits on fight days, calls made to the Lee County Sheriff's office reporting fights as well as tips we have submitted online. We are now making all of this evidence public and available to the media, other law enforcement officials, and the general public. Click here to view that folder.
Cockfighting Pits
We are aware of three active cockfighting arenas or "pits" in Lee County, Mississippi. Additionally, Lee County is home to some of Mississippi's largest rooster breeders raising countless numbers of cockfighting birds. Here is more information about each pit, maps, some video and images and directions for law enforcement to find the pit.
The Buddy Baughman Pit located in Shannon, MS.
The Tom Williams Pit in Guntown, MS
The DL Parker Pit in Baldwyn, MS
Timeline
The following is an incomplete timeline of our efforts to get Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson to honor his oath to protect and serve the citizens of Lee County by properly enforcing the law. A number phone calls weren’t recorded, and a number of tips on the sheriff’s online tip form were not kept. As of 2024, we are keeping much more complete records to document the inaction of this very corrupt sheriff and his team.
2023
Saturday, Jan. 7
SHARK flies a drone over illegal cockfight pits in Lee County for the first time. Two pits, the Tom Williams pit, and the DL Parker pit, which are located less than two miles from each other, are running at the same time. A SHARK investigator makes calls to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and a report is made, and schedules for two of the three illegal pits in Lee County are given to the sheriff. Sheriff Johnson does nothing to stop the illegal fights. The following day, Jan. 7, the third Lee County pit, the Baughman pit, also holds an illegal cockfight, and the sheriff does nothing.
A schedule for DL Parker's Pit we supplied to the sheriff.
Sunday, Jan. 29
A SHARK drone is used to confirm activity at an illegal cockfight at the Baughman pit, a call is placed to the sheriff, but nothing is done to stop the criminal activity.
Saturday, April 1
SHARK uses the form on the sheriff’s website to inform him of an illegal cockfight planned for the next day, April 2. The sheriff does nothing to stop the illegal cockfight.
Friday, April 7
SHARK reports an active, illegal cockfight at the DL Parker pit, provides drone video of activity at the pit, and makes an official complaint. The sheriff does nothing to stop the illegal activity.
Sunday, April 16
Another cockfight is held at the Baughman pit. SHARK informs the sheriff’s office via the sheriff’s online tip form. The sheriff does nothing to stop the illegal activity.
Monday, April 17
SHARK president Steve Hindi tries to arrange a phone or personal meeting with Sheriff Johnson via his administrative assistant, Kamisha McKinnon. The sheriff refuses to meet with Steve, or to speak with him via phone.
Saturday, April 22
SHARK informs the sheriff about cockfights at both the Parker and Baughman pits. The sheriff does nothing to stop these illegal activities.
2024
Saturday, Jan. 6
An illegal cockfight is held at the DL Parker pit. The pit is droned to confirm the activity, and the sheriff’s office is quickly called. Additionally, SHARK president Steve Hindi personally goes to the sheriff’s office and makes an official complaint. He speaks with Investigator Marius McKinnon, who admits that they have known about Lee County’s cockfights for a long time. McKinnon acts as if the sheriff’s office will do something, but nothing is done, either on this Saturday or the following Sunday, when another cockfight is held at the Baughman pit in Shannon, MS. The sheriff also doesn’t stop either the Saturday cockfight at the Parker pit, and another cockfight is held at the Baughman pit the following day.
Saturday, Jan. 13
An illegal cockfight is held at the Tom Williams pit. The pit is droned to confirm the activity, and the sheriff is quickly called. Additionally, SHARK president Steve Hindi personally goes to the sheriff’s office and makes an official complaint. He speaks with Deputy Joel Humphreys who says that because cockfighting is “only” a misdemeanor, they will not do anything. (This argument makes no sense.) The sheriff doesn’t stop the Williams cockfight, nor another cockfight held at the Baughman pit the following day.
Last updated February 05, 2024.
