JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Duval County jury has found a man guilty of animal fighting and drug charges, according to the office of State Attorney Melissa Nelson.
Marquis Williams was found guilty of:
Possession of Controlled Substance
Illegal Killing, Possessing, or Capturing of Alligators or Crocodilia or Eggs
Three counts of Fighting or Baiting Animals
Nine counts of Animal Cruelty
Possession of Less Than 20 Grams of Cannabis
In May 2025, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office SWAT and Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant on Williams’ home on Orlando Avenue near Rowe Avenue and Lem Turner Road. Williams was detained outside the home. JSO said detectives found cocaine, oxycodone, and marijuana on the property.
Six dogs were also recovered and showed signs of severe neglect. According to JSO, none of the dogs had access to water. Dog-fighting fighting tools and paraphernalia were found inside Williams’ home and backyard.
A 9-foot alligator was recovered from a fenced area with no water available. JSO said bones scattered on the ground in the cage suggested the gator was being fed other animals on the property.
Authorities later executed a search warrant on a vacant property across the street from Williams’ house, where three more dogs were found in very poor condition. Additional dog-fighting tools and paraphernalia were also found on the property.
The State Attorney’s Office says an additional search warrant was executed and more evidence of illegal dog-fighting was found on Williams’ cell phone.
Williams faces up to 65 years in Florida State Prison. He will be sentenced at a later date.
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