YOUNGSTOWN Authorities say man violated his probation

Officers happened across the alleged violation while investigating a murder.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A city man was being held in the Mahoning County Jail, accused of violating his probation for dogfighting.
Zaccheus James, 24, of Cassius Street, was sentenced in April to 18 months in prison after he'd pleaded guilty to engaging in a dogfighting operation.
Judge Maureen A. Cronin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court also told James that he can never again own or harbor a dog, or any other animal. She forbade him from even being in the same house with a dog.
In August, Judge Cronin released James from prison on shock probation. She reminded him of his animal ban during his shock probation hearing.
Discovery
At a hearing Friday, authorities said James was found at a house on Cassius Street, across the street from his home, with three dogs on the premises.
Dave Brown, Youngstown animal control officer, said city police were looking for a murder suspect when they knocked on the door. James answered the door and identified himself as the owner of the house, Brown said.
Judge Cronin found there was probable cause to believe James violated terms of his probation and ordered him held in jail until a full evidentiary hearing, which will be Dec. 6.
James' attorney, Robert J. Rohrbaugh II, declined to comment until the hearing.
bjackson@vindy.com