Kansas City Man Pleads Guilty in ‘Mayhem Madness 2025’ Dogfighting Case, 16 Dogs Rescued

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City man pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to illegal firearm possession and multiple federal dogfighting offenses related to an interstate event known as “Mayhem Madness 2025,” prosecutors announced.

Vinol Wilson, 52, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and three counts of federal dogfighting offenses, including conspiracy to violate the Animal Welfare Act’s animal fighting law, keeping a dog for use in fighting, and buying and receiving a dog for use in a dogfighting venture.

According to court documents, Wilson organized a multi-card dogfighting event at his Kansas City residence on May 17, 2025, inviting participants who traveled from multiple states to attend. At the event, four fights were scheduled and three occurred. After the fights, Wilson polled attendees on which dog performed best and which was the “gamest”—most willing to continue fighting despite injury. He awarded trophies for “Best in Show” and “Gamest in Show” to two participants. Wilson also purchased a puppy from an out-of-state participant, intending to possess it for fighting purposes.

During a search of Wilson’s residence on May 20, 2025, agents recovered 16 fighting dogs, four of which were pregnant and later gave birth to 31 puppies. Agents also seized medications, syringes, a “slatmill” dog treadmill, and fighting dog “pedigrees.” Wilson was found in possession of a loaded 5.56mm pistol with 29 rounds of ammunition, which he was prohibited from possessing due to prior felony convictions.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Energy and Natural Resources Division stated: “Wilson subjected animals to pain and suffering all for sport and profit. The Justice Department continues to aggressively prosecute this criminal activity, and we work with our partners to rescue dogs whenever we can.”

U.S. Attorney R. Matthew Price for the Western District of Missouri added: “Inflicting cruelty on innocent dogs for entertainment and profit is both deplorable and in violation of federal law. The Western District of Missouri is proud to have worked alongside our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to enforce the Animal Welfare Act and hold those responsible accountable.”

The rescued dogs were cared for by a program administered by the U.S. Marshals Service. Following a successful civil forfeiture action brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the dogs were not returned to Wilson and are being rehabilitated and evaluated for possible adoption.

Under federal law, it is illegal to fight dogs in a venture affecting interstate commerce, as well as to possess, train, transport, deliver, sell, purchase, or receive dogs for fighting purposes.

The defendant faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the firearm charge, and up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each of the three dogfighting counts. A sentencing date has not been set.

Appeals Court Dismisses Environmental Challenge to Deepwater Port License

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has denied a petition for review filed by three environmental groups challenging the Maritime Administration’s issuance of a deep water port license to Delfin LNG, ruling that the groups failed to establish standing to bring the case.

The court did not rule on the merits of the project itself, instead finding that the petitioners did not demonstrate any injury that could be traced to the challenged project. The decision effectively allows the license to proceed without further review by the court.

“This project is an important part of the President’s energy dominance agenda, as evidenced by the President’s directives to the Maritime Administration about this project in his Unleashing American Energy Executive Order,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Energy and Natural Resources Division. “The Fifth Circuit’s ruling will make it harder for environmental groups—who have no stake in important energy projects—to challenge projects that will bring jobs and prosperity to Americans.”

Maritime Administrator Stephen M. Carmel added: “This commonsense ruling ensures that this vital energy infrastructure project won’t be derailed by Far Left climate activists. Under the President’s directive, the Maritime Administration is proud to support the Delfin LNG Deepwater port’s operations and the good-paying jobs it’ll create while unleashing America’s energy dominance.”

The Delfin deepwater port is designed to export liquefied natural gas. The Maritime Administration first authorized the port in 2017. In 2024, the Biden administration declined to issue a license for the port, stating that additional environmental review was necessary. In January 2025, President Trump issued the Unleashing American Energy executive order, which directed the Maritime Administration to reconsider whether additional review was required and to issue the license. The Maritime Administration licensed the project in March 2025.