An investigation that began with the rescue of dozens of dogs from suspected dogfighting properties has now led to indictments against 25 people on drug, gun and animal fighting charges.
The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office announced the indictments on Wednesday, Oct. 21, in what investigators called “Operation Duffle Bag Boyz.” In total, the defendants face 129 counts.
The investigation was centered in Chester and Lancaster counties.
What was seized
Before a roundup on Tuesday, Oct. 20, investigators had already seized:
- 2.62 pounds of fentanyl
- 6.88 pounds of methamphetamine
- 1.21 pounds of cocaine
- 4.5 ounces of crack cocaine
- 2.5 pounds of marijuana
- More than 10,000 fentanyl pills
- More than 30 guns
- 47 dogs
During Tuesday’s roundup, officials said they seized about four more pounds of fentanyl, along with more guns and other evidence.
Chester County Sheriff Max Dorsey said the case shows what local and state agencies can do when they work together, adding that drug trafficking and gun violence go hand in hand.
Where the dogs came from
The 47 dogs were rescued in November 2025, when the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) searched three properties in Chester and Lancaster counties in a suspected dogfighting investigation.
At the time, veterinarians with the nonprofit Humane World for Animals said many of the dogs were underweight and several had infected puncture wounds consistent with dogfighting. All of the dogs were taken in for veterinary care.
Dogfighting charges
Five of the 25 defendants are now indicted on dogfighting counts:
- Zion Hairston: 17 counts of dogfighting, along with multiple fentanyl, cocaine and meth trafficking charges
- Nicos Little: 17 counts of dogfighting
- Devin Mobley: 9 counts of dogfighting, plus drug charges
- Diara Talford: 7 counts of dogfighting, plus meth, cocaine and crack trafficking and a weapons charge
- Bobrentay Jackson: 5 counts of dogfighting, plus fentanyl, meth and cocaine trafficking
Other defendants
The remaining defendants face charges that include trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine, distribution of drugs, and possession of a firearm during a violent crime or by a convicted felon. Several of the defendants were already inmates in the South Carolina Department of Corrections when they were indicted.
The full list of defendants includes:
Chester County: Korey Tavaris Bailey, Nicholas Dooley, Darren Simpson, Diara Talford, Devin Mobley, Rodgerio Douglas and Taures Price.
Lancaster County: Joshua Keshon Talford, Lonnie Crawford, Xavier Twitty, Rogelio Mata, Christopher Chappell, Coreytito Wright, Zion Hairston, Melikeo Roseborough, Shibree Truesdale, Koricko Cunningham, Syrasheon Rice, Nicos Little, Dallas Mathis, Bobrentay Jackson, Keyache Davis, Cedric Wright, Javarus Hayden and Dayqwann Blakeny.
An indictment is a formal accusation, and all of the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Sources: South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, as reported by WBTV; SLED
