Dog-Fighting, Drug Ring Stopped, 2 From Exeter Charged: South Kingstown, RI State Police

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — Two people from Exeter were arrested Thursday after Rhode Island State Police said they raided a home, broke up a dog-fighting ring, and seized more than 100 grams of cocaine-fentanyl.

State police, along with South Kingstown officers and the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA) worked together on the investigation that led to the arrests of Mason Wilson, 35, and Tarra Jackson, 29.

Following the investigation, authorities searched Wilson and Jackson's home on South County Trail. State police said they found seven dogs, nine guns, two large-capacity feeding devices, and 112 grams of cocaine-fentanyl.

"We appreciate the collaboration of our partners in law enforcement at the Rhode Island State Police and the Rhode Island SPCA," South Kingstown Police Chief Matthew Moynihan said. "Our communities are safer today because of the teamwork displayed by all of the investigators. We took illegal guns off the street and shut down a dangerous drug dealing operation that was distributing the lethal drug fentanyl that has been devastating many communities across the state."

RISPCA officials said the dogs are in their care and are receiving medical evaluations and treatments by veterinary and pet shelter staff.

Wilson was charged with seven counts of unnecessary cruelty to an animal, possession with intent to deliver (cocaine, fentanyl, oxycodone, amphetamines, buprenorphine), possession of a firearm by a person prohibited; possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, large capacity feeding devices prohibited, and alteration of marks of identification on firearms.

He was arraigned in Fourth Division District Court, is being held without bail and was ordered not to be in the care, custody, or control of any animals.

Jackson was charged with possession of cocaine and fentanyl. She was arraigned at Fourth Division District Court, where she was issued a bail of $3,000 with surety.