A 53-year-old man from Hacienda Heights has been arrested by federal agents for allegedly operating a dog-fighting ring at his home and illegally possessing firearms.
According to the United States Department of Justice, Raymond Nunez faces charges of buying, delivering and possessing animals for use in an animal-fighting venture, as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in federal prison.
Investigators say Nunez ran the illegal dog-fighting operation from December 2025 through February 2026 at his residence.
When authorities executed a search warrant at the property, agents reportedly discovered an AK-47, a shotgun and 10 additional firearms stored in a safe.
Officials say Nunez is prohibited from owning guns due to a 1991 felony conviction for unlawful vehicle taking.
During the search, agents also found several signs of animal abuse and dog-fighting activity, including:
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An emaciated pit bull bleeding while chained to a cable in the yard
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Another pit bull with scars inside a blood-stained cage area
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Dog treadmills used to train animals for fights
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A rope and scale used for weighing dogs
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Syringes and a skin stapler, often associated with treating fight injuries
The investigation was led by the Dog Fighting and Animal Abuse Task Force, a joint initiative involving the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, along with other federal, state and local agencies.
Nunez was scheduled to make his initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon.