NC man charged with breeding fighting dogs wants to be a veterinarian, lawyer says
A Statesville man accused of breeding and selling fighting dogs actually loves animals and wants to become a veterinarian, his attorney and his mother said in court Thursday morning.
Federal prosecutors and the FBI allege that Juelz Christopher Daniels, 19, sold pit bull-type dogs on Facebook. He’s been charged with conspiring to violate the Animal Welfare Act and other crimes.
“Juelz has always loved dogs,” his mother, Brittany Graham, told U.S. Magistrate Judge David Keesler.
Defense attorney Marcos Roberts said Daniels made straight As and Bs in school and was recently accepted by a local community college. He aspires to become a veterinarian, Roberts said.
“I find that a stunning statement in light of the facts that are alleged here,” Keesler said.
The allegations laid out by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Armstrong: Daniels sold at least 15 dogs in the span of a year, discussed “culling” — or killing — them, and one puppy had a skull fracture from blunt force trauma.
“This was not a one-off,” Armstrong said of Daniels’ Facebook messages about the dogs, adding that he had been in the business since 2021.
Roberts said Daniels has sold dogs as a “hobby” and “labor of love,” as well as a way to make money while facing other charges, but not for dog-fighting.
The judge was not convinced and ordered that Daniels remain in custody.
“The government’s forecast of the evidence is formidable,” Keesler said, adding that it seemed to show “inhumane” and “callous” behavior.
Keesler was also concerned by other crimes that Daniels had been charged with in Iredell County recently, including marijuana possession, carrying a concealed gun, robbery and domestic violence. Roberts called some of those charges “bogus.”
Daniels’ co-defendant is 55-year-old Reginald Lionel Goodson, Jr. The two ran “Hoodwoods Kennels,” according to their indictment. The U.S. Marshals Service took possession of more than 20 dogs and puppies from that kennel.
Goodson’s initial appearance was canceled because he was in the hospital.
This story was originally published June 25, 2026 at 2:51 PM.