Parker County officials raided an illegal cockfighting operation, which resulted in the arrest of around nine people. According to Parker County Sheriff Russ Authier, his department received an anonymous Crime Stoppers tip regarding an event in northern Parker County.
The Parker County deputies arrived at an illegal cockfight operation, with the cockfighting ring located inside a metal barn. Around 40 people immediately fled into the woods upon the officers’ arrival.
Nine people, including the property owner, Jesus Baldemar Zurita, were apprehended and taken into custody. According to investigators, Zurita said that he was hosting the event for “work friends” but was found to be charging a spectator fee of USD 40 per head.
Authorities found several dead and wounded roosters near the cockfighting ring, as well as 96 live roosters. Zurita, who admitted to owning six roosters, was charged with cockfighting causes or earns with a bond set at USD 10,000.
Other individuals who were arrested were Gloria Franco Govea, Alfredo Ibarra, J. Jesus Alvarado, Emilio Lopez Leal, Jesus Nieto, Miguel Tovar Rodriguez, and Francisco A. Garcia-Gonzales.
Gaveas was charged with cockfighting/space/owns or trains with a bond set at USD 2,500, while the rest were charged with cockfighting with a bond set at USD 1,166. Officers also cited Rosalinda Cisneros as a spectator but she was released.
Aside from apprehending nine people, the deputies also seized the 96 live roosters that they found. The sheriff’s department will be handling the birds until they can be handed over to an animal rescue organization. Furthermore, the sheriff’s department also confiscated 50 “slashers” or gaff, a box trailer, six vehicles, and around USD 15,550 which are believed to be illegal cockfight earnings.
