A Crawford County man is facing state and federal charges after a multi-agency investigation into alleged illegal dog fighting led to the rescue of 23 dogs and the seizure of firearms and suspected illegal drugs.

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper announced the arrest of Robert James Hester following a joint investigation by the Georgia Department of Agriculture Law Enforcement Division, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, and the Peach County SWAT Team. Authorities executed state and federal search warrants on June 24 at a property on Andrews Road in Knoxville, Georgia.

Investigators said they recovered 23 dogs believed to have been used for fighting, along with multiple firearms, suspected marijuana, and suspected methamphetamine. The dogs were removed from the property and placed into the custody of federal authorities while the investigation continues.

“The Georgia Department of Agriculture has zero tolerance for illegal dog fighting and the cruelty it inflicts on animals,” Commissioner Harper said in a statement. He praised the coordinated efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, saying the operation not only rescued the animals but also uncovered firearms and suspected narcotics.

Hester has been charged under Georgia law with possession of firearms by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of tools for the commission of a crime, and possession of methamphetamine. In addition to the state charges, officials said he also faces federal charges related to alleged illegal dog fighting and firearms violations. He remains in the Crawford County Jail without bond.

Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing, and additional information could be released as the case proceeds through the court system. As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and Hester is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.