Related articles:

Tucson man gets 10 years in child porn caseTucson couple pleads guilty in dogfighting case Dogfighting charges net local couple probation

Other articles by Kim Smith:

Mistrials occur for numerous reasons; who might be at fault isn't predictable Man gets 10 years in stickup, ATM theft Deal means 17 1/2 years, max, in rapeAjo man, 19, is indicted in rape, killing of girl, 7 After 20 years on death row, he's free 3 arraigned in killings of girl, 9, fatherIndictment: Slain Ajo girl was raped, stabbedTucson man who killed mom gets 25-to-life in state hospitalWoman admits to role in killing of Tucson cabbie Judge rejects effort to silence Hermitage criticism

Trades/Construction
RANCHO RESORT
MAINTANANCE POSITION Sales and Marketing
Everready Glass
Sales Reps Finance and Accounting
Charles E. Gillman Company
Accounting Specialist Administrative & Professional
Tucson Urban League
CEO/President Mechanical
Komatsu Equipment Co
Resident Field Mechanic Administrative & Professional
Jorgensen Brooks Group
Counselor

A Tucson man indicted by separate grand juries on child pornography and animal cruelty charges pleaded guilty Thursday to charges related to the child pornography case.

Juan Verdin, 40, was indicted on 11 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in May after detectives investigating him for dogfighting found several images of prepubescent children engaged in sexual acts on his computer.

On Thursday, Verdin told Pima County Superior Court Judge John Leonardo the images were downloaded by an underage son. He pleaded guilty to child abuse, acknowledging that he failed to supervise that son.

As a result of his guilty plea, Deputy Pima County Attorney Lewis Brandes said Verdin could be placed on probation or receive up to two years' probation.

Verdin and his wife, Zenaida Verdin, will be back in court next week for their trial on dogfighting and animal cruelty charges.

According to Star archives, the Verdins were arrested at a property on West Indian Kitchen Road, west of Sahuarita, in February.

According to authorities, deputies began investigating a possible dogfighting ring in March 2007.

Officers in Chicago contacted the Pima County Sheriff's Department after they stopped a van carrying several fighting dogs and developed information leading to Tucson.

Pima County sheriff's deputies seized at least 150 dogs during raids on Feb. 19, along with $10,000 in cash and more than 60 firearms varying from revolvers to assault-type guns, officials said.

The Verdins were indicted along with Mahlon Thatcher Patrick, 63, and Emily Elizabeth Dennis, 63.

The Verdins are each facing two counts of dogfighting, 10 counts of animal cruelty and 16 counts of failure to obtain license.

Patrick and Dennis, who are scheduled to go to trial next month, are each charged with two counts of dogfighting and 21 counts of animal cruelty.

Leonardo is presiding over both trials and will determine the parties guilt or innocence since they waived their right to a jury trial.

The Verdins and Patrick filed claims of nearly $4 million against Pima County in August.

According to the claim, Patrick wants $10,000 apiece for the 110 pit bull terriers that were seized and euthanized by county officials. He also wants lost wages from the "highly inflammatory slander" associated with the raids and arrests in February.

In her claim, Zenaida Verdin cites a $10,000 value for each of 14 pit bull terriers and two miniature dachshunds seized from their property. She also cites more than $700,000 in lost wages and retirement money because she lost her job at a rehabilitation center. She asked the county to settle the issue with $948,384.

Juan Verdin's claim also cites the 16 dogs at $10,000 each plus nearly $2 million in lost wages.

Claims are precursors to lawsuits. No lawsuit has yet been filed by the Verdins or Patrick.