AYNOR, SC (WBTW) – An additional arrest has been made in connection with an Horry County dog fighting investigation.

Jonathan Ray Babson was arrested in connection to the investigation, according to Mikayla Moskov, with the Horry County Police Department.

J. Reuben Long Detention Center booking records show that Babson, 41, of Nichols, was booked around 8:45 a.m. Tuesday and remains in the center as of 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. His charge is listed as presence at facility of animal fighting or baiting- first offense. No bail has been set.

News13 previously reported that four people were arrested and 18 dogs seized in an Horry County dog fighting operation:

  • Kenrick Butler, 25, of Loris
  • Tran Graham, 36, of Aynor
  • Roy Dew, 54, of Loris
  • Erica Wilson, 27, of Aynor

While serving a search warrant on the 6000 block of Persimmons Road in the Aynor area, the Horry County Police Department uncovered a dog fighting operation.

On March 13 around 9 a.m., officers responded to the area in reference to a search warrant related to an armed robbery, the report said. After an investigation and a search of the property, evidence was found “to correspond with the acts of illegal dog fighting.” 

A second search warrant was served at the home and other items were found “to support illegal dog fighting.”

Of the 18 dogs, 17 are pit bulls and one is a mastiff, according to the HCPD.