Detroit's Young Calicoe charged with fighting pit bulls and roosters | MLive.com
DETROIT Toranio Hightower, 22, better known as Detroit rapper Young Calicoe, is charged with what he previously referred to in an online viral video as "that Michael Vick-type (expletive)" also known as dog fighting.The Michigan Humane Society and Detroit police raided Hightower's Brightmoor home on July 11, removed an unidentified number of pit bulls and rooster from the address.
Authorities did not arrest Hightower or others at the home but said they were compiling a case for the Wayne Prosecutor's Office to consider charges.
The Office officially charged Hightower on Wednesday with conspiracy to gamble, a 5-year felony; animal fighting, a 4-year felony; and conspiracy to commit animal fighting, a 4-year felony.
Calicoe kept animal pens throughout his garage, storage shed and backyard and appeared in an online interview video brazenly exhibiting multiple pit bulls and roosters, which he indicated had been used for fighting.
He captured police attention when the video went viral.
(Link to video that stirred the controversy)
The online video featuring Young Calicoe and others opens with a man holding what appears to be an alligator, as Calicoe says, "We've got an (expletive) zoo over here," and the videographer proceeds to follow Calicoe and others through the property's backyard, a kennel area and garage.
"I hope we don't get indicted for that, that Michael Vick-type (expletive)," Young Calicoe says to the camera at one point in interview before opening a gate that leads to a backyard containing multiple roosters and pit bulls. "We've got in the very corner, we've got the pit bull... We've got the roosters. We fight them too. That's the grand champ right there."
The Wayne County Prosecutor Office additionally charged Savay Chokbengboun, 31, and Cassandra Faye Worthington, 26, both of Detroit, with multiple felonies.
Chokbegboun is charged with Conspiracy to gamble, five counts of animal fighting, conspiracy to commit animal fighting, possessing animal fighting equipment, and cruelty to animals.
Worthington is charged with five counts of animal fighting, conspiracy to commit animal fighting, possessing animal fighting equipment, and cruelty to animals.
The defendants are scheduled to appear before Judge Michael Wagner in 36th District Court at 9 a.m. on Oct. 25.