SLED Charges Former Chesterfield County Deputy and Three Other Men as part of Dogfighting Investigation
Thursday, Apr 30, 2026
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) charged former Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Deputy Lonnie Shane Gaskins, 27, with eight counts of Animal Fighting or Baiting, Ill Treatment of Animals, and Criminal Conspiracy on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
SLED also charged Terry James Gaskins, 49, with 23 counts of Animal Fighting or Baiting, as well as Criminal Conspiracy, Ill Treatment of Animals, Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition by a Person Convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute, Manufacture, or,
Traffick a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute - 1st Offense.
Shamar O’Ryan Sutton, 31, and Chris Hale Gaskins, 57, were both charged with Criminal Conspiracy on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
Details can be found in the attached warrants.
Shamar O’Ryan Sutton, Terry James Gaskins, and Chris Hale Gaskins were booked into the Chesterfield Detention Center. Lonnie Shane Gaskins was booked into the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center.
The case will be prosecuted by the 4th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
SLED was assisted by the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office. Humane World for Animals also assisted in the rescue of 34 dogs.
This is an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information on this matter can contact SLED at (866) 472-8477 and/or email tips@sled.sc.gov.
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For media inquiries, please email SLED’s Public Information Office: pio@sled.sc.gov
