DETROIT – The Detroit rapper who goes by the name "Young Calicoe" is expected to be in a Detroit courtroom Thursday for a preliminary exam related to dog fighting charges.
22-year-old Toranio Hightower is charged with conspiracy to gamble, animal fighting and conspiracy to commit animal fighting. Two others are also facing similar charges: 31-year-old Savay Chokbengboun and 26-year-old Cassandra Faye Worthington.
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The three are accused of committing the crimes from July 2009 until July 2012, when Detroit police and the Michigan Humane Society raided a home on West Outer Drive and removed several dogs and other animals.
Young Calico became the center of a police investigation after video of him making references to dog fighting went viral online.
In the video, the rapper is giving a tour of his home, including his collection of roosters and dogs. At one point, he makes reference to Michael Vick – the NFL quarterback who was sent to prison for being involved in an illegal dog-fighting ring. "I hope we don't get indicted for that, " he says in the video.
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Thursday's preliminary exam will help determine whether there is enough evidence for Hightower to stand trial on the dog fighting charges.