Dogfighting suspect to have hearing on probation violation from prior offense

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A motion has been filed in a Stoddard County court to revoke Jamie Sifford's probation in a prior offense.

Sifford, now accused of 18 counts of dogfighting, three counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, will face Judge Stephen Sharp on an old charge as a result of the recent accusations.

On Nov. 30, 2006, Sifford, 29, of Dudley, Mo., was arrested on a charge of possession of a controlled substance and given a three-year suspended sentence.

He has since been serving three years of supervised probation.

If it is found at the probation hearing that Sifford is in violation of his probation, he will receive his original three-year sentence before he ever faces trial on the dogfighting charges.

The field report filed by the Missouri Department of Corrections Board of Probation and Parole recommends that his probation be revoked based on both the dogfighting and drug-related charges. "Sifford's behavior presents a danger to the community through his involvement in dog fighting and possessing controlled substances," the report states.

It also quotes Sifford's comments on the charges against him.

"In regard to the pending dog fighting charges, Sifford stated 'I made a huge mistake and now I have to pay for it.' He went on to state 'I am glad it is over' and 'I wanted to get out of it for a while.' When asked how many dog fights he had, Sifford stated 'I have only had a couple fights and none of them have been sanctioned fights.' Sifford stated 'I have only been involved in it (dog fighting) for the last six months.' Sifford did not care to discuss details of the alleged dog fighting ring."