Vick surrenders early in dog fighting case

Suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has begun serving his sentence in a Virginia prison on federal dog fighting charges. Vick was scheduled to be sentenced on December 10th. However, an assistant to U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson of Richmond Virginia confirms Vick voluntarily surrendered himself to officials with the U.S. Marshal’s Service. Hudson signed the order allowing Vick to turn himself in earlier today. Four people have pleaded guilty in the case. Earlier this year, Vick acknowledged he was part of a dogfighting operation known as Bad Newz Kennels at his former property in Surry County, Va. In a plea agreement, Vick admitted the operation involved the "victimization and killing of pit bull dogs." Under federal sentencing guidelines, Michael Vick faces up to five months in prison, although Judge Hudson could impose a sentence below or above that range if he sees fit.

Rome drug trial begins today

A Rome man goes on trial this week in U.S District Court for alleged involvement in a drug ring in the Rome area. 45-year-old Mario Armas is said by federal prosecutors to be the ringleader of the operation. Federal authorities say he conspired with two professional rodeo workers and another man to distribute more than a ton of marijuana in the Rome-area between 2003 and 2004. The drug smuggling has been linked to other crimes, such as kidnapping, burglary, and laundering of profits from the drug deals. The trial was delayed from January to give both sides more time to sift through evidence. Testimony begins this morning.