Cockfighting - 120 birds found, 74 people arrested
Rockton, IL (US)Incident Date: Saturday, Nov 25, 2006
County: Winnebago
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Roman Arellano
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
Seventy-four people were arrested the evening of Nov 25 in Rockton Township for attending a cockfight, police say.
"It was the largest operation we've seen in recent memory," Winnebago County Deputy Chief of Detectives Dominic Isaparro said.
A phone complaint claiming animal fights were taking place tipped police off to the alleged cockfight, which occurred in the 3200 block of Roscoe Road, Isaparro said.
When police arrived on the scene a little after 9 p.m. they found people in a barn on the property, Isaparro said. They also found dozens of chickens, as well as many dead chickens.
The chickens are now in the custody of Winnebago County animal control. Isaparro said it will be up to a court to decide what will happen to the chickens.
Seventy-three of those arrested were charged with attending an animal fight. The owner of the residence, Roman Arellano, 24, was arrested for keeping a facility for animal fighting.
The gambling involved with cockfighting, along with the cruelty to animals, makes the act illegal, Isaparro said.
The case remains under investigation, Isaparro said, and officials do not yet know how long the operating had been going on.
A member of the Winnebago County Animal Services said nothing of this magnitude has happened in recent years.
Case UpdatesThe man arrested Nov. 25 for keeping a facility for animal fighting in the Rockton Township faces more charges.
The Winnebago County Sheriff's Department filed more charges against the owner of the residence, Roman Arellano, 24. He was charged with two counts under the Humane Care for Animals Act: collecting money for a cockfight and making a facility available for cockfight. He was also charged with keeping a gambling place, unlawful use of a weapon and selling liquor without a license.
Police allegedly found a switchblade on Arellano, said Winnebago County Assistant States Attorney Greg Minger.
Minger said after the final police reports were reviewed, his office decided there was further evidence against Arellano to warrant more charges.
Arellano will next be in court 10 a.m. Jan. 1 for a status hearing.
Arellano was one of 74 people arrested Nov. 25 after authorities broke up one of the biggest cockfights in the Midwest, officials said. | Source: Beloit Daily News - Dec 14, 2006
Update posted on Dec 15, 2006 - 10:47PM |
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