Sheriff Wes Tripp confirmed in a statement the couple have been indicted by a federal grand jury in a six-count indictment.

Mr. Gary, 47, was arrested Sunday evening by agents of the City County Drug Task Force and Mrs. Gary, 43, surrendered to United States Marshals in Greenville this morning.

The indictment, Tripp said in the statement, was based on the original investigation into dogfighting and marijuana-cultivation at the Gary's residence on Stack Powell Road.

Narcotics and criminal investigators as well the patrol officers with the sheriff's office investigated the case along with assistance from the federal bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Halifax County Animal Control assisted in the dogfighting investigation following a raid in the early morning hours of April 7, 2013.

A search warrant filed in the case at the time described a bloody scene and possible ties to dogfighting in Maryland.

In the statement, Tripp said the couple face the following charges:

Count 1: Exhibit and sponsor an animal for the purpose of participation in a fighting venture and aiding and abetting in the same.

Count 2: Attend an animal fighting venture and aiding and abetting in the same

Count 3: Possession of an animal for the purpose of participating in a fighting venture and aiding and abetting in the same

Count 4: Possession of firearm by a felon

Count 5: Possession with the intent to distribute more than but less than 100 marijuana plants and aiding and abetting

Count 6: Maintaining drug involved premises and aiding and abetting

During their initial appearance, which was held at the federal courthouse in Greenville today, Magistrate Judge Kimberly Swank remanded the couple to federal custody until a detention hearing scheduled Thursday is held.

The federal prosecution will be handled by Assistant United States Attorney Katherine Burnette.

Tripp, who declined comment beyond the statement, said in the news release, “The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office extends appreciation to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Sheriff’s Office will continue to investigate crimes and seek federal indictments when appropriate.”