Saturday, April 19, 2025
A Hempstead man has been indicted on 34 counts involving drug trafficking, weapons possession and animal fighting
Kevin Brown, 39, faces charges including criminal possession and sale of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a weapon and multiple counts related to animal fighting. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison. Brown was arraigned on March 12 before Judge Caryn Fink. Bail was set at $100,000 cash, a $200,000 bond or a $500,000 partially secured bond, and he has been ordered not to own or control any animals pending the case. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 30.
A search warrant executed at Brown’s Willow Avenue residence in December 2024 recovered more than 1,000 pills, many of which tested positive for fentanyl. The investigation, which began after an overdose incident at the residence in September 2024, also yielded other narcotics, a loaded handgun with two loaded magazines and paraphernalia linked to dogfighting.
Seven pit bulls were found on the property in poor condition. Six dogs were chained with heavy collars and appeared to have been kept in squalid conditions without regular access to food or water. One dog, whose ears had been cropped, was roaming the yard. Several animals showed scars and wounds consistent with dog fighting, and equipment such as a hanging spring pole and a modified treadmill were also recovered.
"Selling dangerous drugs is often associated with the cruelty of dog fighting, and this defendant allegedly possessed and sold pills containing enough fentanyl to kill more than 65,000 people while also housing, breeding, and training seven pit bulls to fight," said District Attorney Anne Donnelly. "Both crimes show a blatant disregard for life and neither will ever be tolerated in Nassau County. My office is committed to holding those who deal in deadly opioids and subject animals to inhumane, dangerous conditions accountable to the fullest extent of the law."
DEA New York Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino said the case was the result of a collaboration between the DEA’s New York team and local law enforcement.
"Today's indictment against Kevin Brown is a result of the collaboration of our DEA New York team and law enforcement partners on Long Island to combat the continuous fentanyl crisis that is plaguing our neighborhoods," said DEA New York Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. "Pushing fentanyl-laced fake pills to those unsuspecting buyers, in furtherance of his heinous criminal activity, shows the severity of his crimes and total disregard to life. The DEA is committed to ensuring those who push illicit and synthetic narcotics face the consequences for their actions."
Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder also condemned the activities, noting the department’s commitment to eradicating illegal drugs and stopping animal cruelty in the community.
“Animal fighting is among the most barbaric forms of cruelty. We are grateful to DA Donnelly for her efforts to protect the animals of Nassau County,” said NCSPCA President Gary Rogers.
Brown was arrested on Dec. 3, 2024, in Seaford by Nassau County detectives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Rivka Shuter of the Narcotics, Firearms and Gangs Bureau with assistance from the Animal Crimes Unit and the Organized Crime and Rackets Bureau.
Brown pleaded not guilty. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
