Ex-Coach Sentenced on Dogfighting Charge

TYLER (AP) – A former east Texas high school football coach has been sentenced to three years of probation for his role in a dogfighting ring. Jerry Scott Chism of Longview was sentenced Thursday, four months after pleading guilty to a charge of sponsoring or exhibiting an animal fighting venture. He was also fined $2,000. The 36-year-old Chism apologized to U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis, saying he was “raised to respect and obey the law.” Chism’s attorney said his client “will not disappoint.” Chism faced up to five years in federal prison after his arrest along with eight others last year in a five-state raid of dogfighting operations. Chism was an assistant coach at Jacksonville High School.