Cockfighting - 300 birds - Cedarville, AR

Saturday, May 19, 2007

County: Crawford

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» Scott Johnson
» Jaime Hernandez
» Charles Wayne Matthews
» Randall Hull
» Jeffery Dee Ramey
» Kenneth Stanley Donelson
» Jason Everett Sutton
» David Lee Smith
» Martin Robert Nelson
» David Noah Tatum
» James Henderson
» Cecilia Henderson
» Kenneth Henderson
» Mark Anthony Hyatt
» Justin James McHone
» Bill Ray McNatt
» Stephanie Lynn Pope
» Brian Lee Pope
» Robert Wayne Beckham
» Michael Ray Donelson
» Steve Eugene Gannon
» Percy Gene Piseon
» Donald Leroy Gray
» Ivan Alvos
» Joshua Lee Monks
» Steven Dale Alveson
» David Allen Ball
» Donna June Gates
» Susan Marie Henderson
» Jodie Jack Gates
» Donald Dean Charles
» Robert Eugene Smith - Convicted
» Russell T. Ketcher
» Doyle Nolan Smith
» Cody Clinton
» Jack Williams - Convicted
» Kenneth Ebert
» George Cheater
» Charles Edward Mantooth
» John Howell
» Tony Villalobos
» Joseph Miles Drewry
» Martin Martinez
» Shayne Anthony Ellison
» Benji Ray Mendenhall
» Antonio Perea
» Sanito Hubahib Kilong
» David Curtis Parker
» Billie R. Stills
» Cecilia Rose Donelson
» Louise Bromaghin
» Kevin L. Dunigan
» Jason St. Claire
» Edgar Pyle
» Pyle Donald
» Randall Gene Long
» Hayden C. Hice
» James Franklin Shoemaker
» Socia Bobby Gene
» James Larry Porter
» Jimmy Ovrel Wixon
» Sharon Kaye Sprinkle
» Timothy Sprinkle
» Theresa Ann Jones
» Jesus Martinez

Case Updates: 11 update(s) available

Local and federal agencies collaborated Saturday in arresting dozens of individuals suspected of participating in a cockfighting and gambling operation out of Crawford County.

Approximately 70 suspects were arrested and a large number of birds were seized at a building in a residential area near Cedarville in the 10100 block of Shiloh Road.

In the culmination of a lengthy investigation, federal and local agents executed a search warrant and raided a large outbuilding allegedly equipped with fighting pits and areas to accommodate spectators, according to an Arkansas State Police news release.

The arrests were made at the Shiloh Road location throughout Saturday afternoon and evening as warrants were effectuated at two other suspected cockfighting and gambling operations in Rudy, in the 3500 block of Kenner Chapel Road, and in Oklahoma, according to the news release.

Members of the U.S. Department of Agriculture participated in the raid by humanely destroying the numerous birds that were seized, according to the news release.

Members of Arkansas State Police, the Crawford County Sheriff s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Marshal's Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 21st District Prosecuting Attorney's Office and the U.S. Attorney's Office collaborated in the investigation that led to the raids.

Bill Sadler, a public affairs officer with the Arkansas State Police, said he could not comment on whether Immigration and Customs Enforcement s involvement in the raid concerned suspected illegal immigrants participating in the cock fight and gambling operations.

Information regarding possible arrests during the raids in both Rudy and Oklahoma has not been made available yet.

Case Updates

Two more people charged in connection with a May 19 raid of a Crawford County cockfighting operation have entered guilty pleas and been sentenced. In orders signed by Circuit Judge Gary Cottrell on Jan. 11, Jack Williams of Magazine and Robert Smith of Paris pleaded guilty to cruelty to animals, a misdemeanor. They received a one-year suspended sentence, a $100 fine, $170 court costs, and restitution of $100. All felony charges were dismissed. More than 80 people have been charged in Crawford County courts in connection with the raid by county law enforcement officials, the FBI and Arkansas State Police. More than 120 were arrested in May 2007. The raid followed months of surveillance, which included undercover officer infiltration of the alleged Ozark Mountain Arena gambling operation on the 10100 Shiloh Road property owned by Cecilia Rose Donelson and Michael Ray Donelson. That Donelson property has been named in a related forfeiture lawsuit. According to court documents, the undercover officers reported witnessing cockfighting and gambling activity there between Nov. 25, 2006, and May 15, 2007.

Source: SWTimes - Jan 18, 2008 Update posted on Jan 18, 2008 - 12:33PM

On Monday, January 7th, in connection with the nation's largest cockfighting bust, thirty-nine people will appear in Crawford County Circuit Court to enter pleas. Judge Gary Cottrell ordered the mandatory appearance of the cockfighters. Last Chance for Animals, responsible for undercover investigation leading to bust, will also be in court, to observe the pleas of the cockfighters. Last May, with information provided by Last Chance for Animals' Special Investigations Unit, county law enforcement officials, along with Arkansas State Police and FBI agents raided a crowded and popular cockfighting arena, operating on Shiloh Road near Cedarville. The raid resulted in 127 arrests, with both federal and misdemeanor charges. Those not represented on Monday have appeared before Crawford County Court or in Van Buren District Court. "I will be in court on Monday to look these degenerate cockfighters square in the eye. They have been getting away with horrific acts of animal cruelty for far too long. Last Chance for Animals speaks on behalf of all the animals that have been abused and killed; we must take a tough stance against animal cruelty. Dog fighting has garnered much attention this past year, let's make sure we don't forget about the scum that cockfights," stated Chris DeRose, President and Founder, Last Chance for Animals. The raid came after several months of surveillance, which included infiltration of the group by undercover officers. All of those in court face unclassified felony charges of keeping a gambling house and misdemeanor charges of cruelty to animals. Twenty of the group faces additional charges of criminal use of property or laundering criminal proceeds and 21 face added charges of engaging in a continuing criminal or gang organization or enterprise.

Source: Last Chance for Animals Press Release - Jan 4, 2008 Update posted on Jan 4, 2008 - 4:07PM

Thirty-nine people charged in connection with the May 19 raid of an alleged Crawford County cockfighting operation appeared Monday in Crawford County Circuit Court. Judge Gary Cottrell assembled the defendants in three separate groups as he took attendance, paired those charged with their attorneys and determined if any were prepared to enter a plea on charges before them. All present indicated they wanted to go to trial on the charges, and Cottrell told them trial would tentatively be set during the last two weeks of January. The judge also told those present they must return to court on Jan. 7 for a mandatory appearance. That day is also the last they will be allowed to enter a plea, Cottrell said. Two of those called were absent, and Cottrell ordered warrants issued on failure to appear charges for them, setting a $5,000 additional bond on the terms of their release. Those present are only a fraction of the 127 people arrested in May, when county law enforcement officials, along with Arkansas State Police and FBI agents stopped the operation, operating on Shiloh Road near Cedarville. Others have appeared before Division II Circuit Court Judge Mike Medlock or in Van Buren District Court. The raid came after several months of surveillance, which included infiltration of the group by undercover officers. According to court documents, officers witnessed defendants fighting birds, gambling and winning cash during a period between Nov. 25, 2006 and May 15. All of those in court Monday face unclassified felony charges of keeping a gambling house and misdemeanor charges of cruelty to animals. Twenty of the group face additional charges of criminal use of property or laundering criminal proceeds, a Class C felony; and 21 face added charges of engaging in a continuing criminal or gang organization or enterprise, a Class A felony. Among those appearing were Cecilia Rose Donelson, 37, and Michael Ray Donelson, 33, owners of the property at 10100 Shiloh Road at which the fights were held.

Source: Times-Record - Dec 4, 2007 Update posted on Dec 4, 2007 - 3:54PM

Another two men arrested May 19 on charges related to an alleged cockfighting operation near Cedarville appeared in Crawford County Circuit Court on Wednesday. A third failed to appear for arraignment. Circuit Court Judge Mike Medlock accepted a not-guilty plea entered by Justin McHone, 25, of Harrah, Okla., and another entered on behalf of Randall Hull, 46, of Muskogee, Okla., by his attorney, Joseph Self. Both were charged with keeping a gambling house, an unclassified felony, and cruelty to animals, a Class A misdemeanor. Both remained free on bond. Antonio Perea, 23, of Rogers, failed to show up in court on charges of gambling and cruelty to animals. Medlock ordered his $5,000 bond forfeited and ordered a warrant be issued for him on a charge of failure to appear, carrying a new $5,000 bond.

Source: Times-Record - Jul 26, 2007 Update posted on Aug 18, 2007 - 11:32PM

More than half the 127 people arrested May 19 on charges related to an alleged cockfighting operation near Cedarville entered not-guilty pleas in Crawford County Circuit Court on Wednesday, July 18th. About 13 defendants showed up in person for the proceedings, held before Circuit Court Judge Mike Medlock, while the rest were represented by attorneys who waived formal arraignment, according to a spokesman in the office of Prosecuting Attorney Marc McCune. All 75 defendants face misdemeanor charges of cruelty to animals. Additional felony charges, including operating a gambling house, criminal use of property or laundering criminal proceeds and engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise were also filed. Among those charged were Kenneth Stanley Donelson, 39, his wife, Cecilia Rose Donelson, 37, and Michael Ray Donelson, 33, owners of the property at 10100 Shiloh Road at which the fights were held. The cases were divided between Medlock and Circuit Court Judge Gary Cottrell. Prosecutors plan to arraign the remaining defendants July 27th in Van Buren District Court. The arrests by the FBI and the Arkansas State Police followed an undercover operation in which officers infiltrated the group where they witnessed participants fighting birds, gambling and winning cash between Nov. 25, 2006, and May 15.

Source: Times Record - Jul 20, 2007 Update posted on Jul 22, 2007 - 5:10PM

81 people will be federally charged tomorrow in Crawford County Circuit Court in connection with the nation's largest cockfighting raid. On May 19th, with information provided by Last Chance for Animals Special Investigations Unit, 150 law enforcement personnel from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies raided a crowded and popular cockfighting arena near Van Buren, Arkansas. Charges will include operating a gambling house, criminal use of property or laundering criminal proceeds, misdemeanor cruelty to animals and engaging in a continuing criminal gang, organization or enterprise. Hayden Hise, head referee and author of the book, "Modern Day Cockfighting Rules," and the four property owners -- Kenneth Stanley Donelson, Cecelia Donelson, Michael Ray Donelson and Andrea Donelson -- are among those to be charged. Kenneth Donelson and Michael Ray Donelson are targets of a federal civil lawsuit that seeks to seize 120 acres linked to the alleged illegal cockfighting ring. Last Chance for Animals Press Conference Information: Where: In Front Of The Crawford County Circuit Court - Division II 8 So 6th Street Van Buren, AR 72956 When: 9:30 AM, Wednesday, July 18th Who: Midwest Representative, Special Investigations Unit, Last Chance for Animals

Source: Yahoo News - July 17, 2007 Update posted on Jul 17, 2007 - 4:26PM

A weekend raid on an illegal cockfighting ring came after months of investigation that included undercover police officers posing as fight fans and aerial surveillance, a prosecutor said. A tip from out of state in August led to 81 felony arrests and 61 misdemeanor citations at the 120-acre property hosting the fights in Crawford County, Crawford County Prosecutor Marc McCune said. Acting on the information, police began using aircraft to fly over the property and take photographs, which showed a large building and multiple trailers. McCune said the trailers served as temperature-controlled shelters for the roosters. McCune said investigators pored over Crawford County utility records to determine when electricity use spiked at the property. He said the surges happened at the alleged cockfighting arena during the weekend. An Arkansas State Police trooper and an FBI agent went undercover into the fights, placing bets on the fights, the prosecutor said. "They participated like they were anyone else in that arena, otherwise they would have stuck out like a sore thumb," McCune said. Inside, the operation resembled a small sports arena -- including stadium seating with several rows of numbered blue and green chairs, a scoreboard, an elevated press box, a concession stand and a cockfighting pit at the center point, McCune said. "To get in the facility, you had to be introduced by a member and then purchase a membership card to get through the gates," McCune said. "It was well-organized and well-run." McCune said the cockfights consisted of a series of matches lasting from Saturday afternoon to early Sunday morning. Prize purses went as high as $50,000, he said. Those with roosters in the fight gave the animals methamphetamine, strychnine or vitamins to increase their stamina, McCune said. Kenneth Stanley Donelson and Michael Ray Donelson, who own the section of land where the alleged cockfights occurred, were arrested during the raid and are suspected of organizing the weekly events. U.S. Attorney Robert C. Balfe filed a lawsuit Monday to seize the land where the cockfights took place. Arkansas State Police said the raid was one of three -- two in Arkansas and one in Oklahoma -- carried out Saturday by a task force combining federal, state and local forces and troopers expect to make additional arrests as the investigation continues.

Source: The Morning News - May 30, 2007 Update posted on May 30, 2007 - 7:37PM

Keota Public Schools elementary principal Bill McNatt was one of more than 80 people who were arrested on Saturday in connection with an illegal cockfighting ring near Cedarville, but his involvement in cockfighting appears to go well beyond the Crawford County operation. McNatt's name can be found on official paperwork from the Oklahoma Supreme Court in 2002 challenging the validity of Oklahoma Initiative Petition No. 365-a petition to ban cockfighting in Oklahoma. McNatt was among 13 Oklahoma residents who sought to prove the petition was invalid, so the issue of a cockfighting ban would not go to the people of the state for a vote. McNatt's name can also be found on numerous Web sites associated with cockfighting. He appears to be a member of at least two Internet cockfighting forums: www.Sabong.net and www.GameRooster.com. A user registered under the name of "bmac" from Keota, Okla., posted on the GameRooster forum, signing his posts with McNatt's name, as did a user on Sabong from "SE Oklahoma" who used the name "bmcnatt." In a thread titled "Tie cords" on the GameRooster forum, "bmac" professes to own a business called Cherokee Game Fowl Supply, which also comes up on a list of game foul farms on the Web site www.StrutAndCrow.com. According to a post on www.GameFoulNews.com, McNatt and Cherokee Game Fowl Supply donated two cocks to an auction sponsored by www.SteelGame.net, to benefit "members of the Kiowa Association [who] were arrested for fighting fowl on Indian land." Also, in a thread titled "Phillipines trip," on the Sabong Web site, "bmcnatt" discussed a trip taken in January 2007 in which he competed in and won the National Cockers Association 8-Cock International Derby Solo Championship. A post on another cockfighting Web site, www.PitGames-Online.com, names McNatt as the winner of the competition, and he is shown in a photograph with "other Americans who visited the pit games." A title atop the photograph names McNatt and the others as "Stars of the Cockfighting Industry." Keota Public Schools Superintendent Bill Brown said in a phone interview that McNatt has been suspended from his position at Keota Elementary School.

Source: Van Buren Press Argus-Courier - May 24, 2007 Update posted on May 25, 2007 - 12:35PM

Below is a list of people booked into Crawford County Jail following the gambling and cockfighting raid: * Jeffery Dee Ramey, 32, operating a gambling house, animal cruelty, and engaging in gambling. * Brian Lee Pope, 29, operating a gambling house, animal cruelty and criminal use of property. * Kenneth Stanley Donelson, 39, operating a gambling house, animal cruelty, criminal use of property and engaging in gambling. * Stephanie Lynn Pope, 28, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Jason Everett Sutton, 32, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * David Lee Smith, 44, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty, and criminal use of property. * Martin Robert Nelson, 43, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty, and criminal use of property. * Robert Wayne Beckham, 44, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty, and criminal use of property. * Justin James McHone, 25, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * David Noah Tatum, 26, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Scott Johnson, 19, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Jaime Hernandez, 18, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Charles Wayne Matthews, 51, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Randall Hull, 46, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Steve Eugene Gannon, 56, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Percy Gene Piseon, 72, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Michael Ray Donelson, 33, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty and criminal use of property. * Donald Leroy Gray, 63, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Ivan Alvos, 27, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Joshua Lee Monks, 28, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Steven Dale Alveson, 40, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * David Allen Ball, 44, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Donna June Gates, 59, operating a gambling house, animal cruelty, criminal use of property, and engaging in gambling. * Susan Marie Henderson, 38, operating a gambling house, animal cruelty, criminal use of property, and engaging in gambling. * Jodie Jack Gates, 59, operating a gambling house, animal cruelty, criminal use of property, and engaging in gambling. * Donald Gene Charles, 49, operating a gambling house, animal cruelty. * Robert Eugene Smith, 41, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Russell T. Ketcher, 19, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Doyle Nolan Smith, 62, operating a gambling house, animal cruelty, and engaging in gambling. * Cody Clinton, 22, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Jack Williams, 69, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Kenneth Ebert, 71, operating a gambling house, animal cruelty and criminal use of property. * George Cheater, 50, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Charles Edward Mantooth, 64, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * John Howell, 41, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Tony Villalobos, 61, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Joseph Miles Drewry, 24, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Bill Ray McNatt, 53, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Martin Martinez, 51, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Shayne Anthony Ellison, 32, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Benji Ray Mendenhall, 30, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Antonio Perea, 23, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Sanito Hubahib Kilong, 46, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * David Curtis Parker, 59, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Billie R. Stills, 47, operating a gambling house and criminal use of property. * Cecilia Rose Donelson, 37, operating a gambling house, criminal use of property, and engaging in gambling. * Louise Bromaghin, 61, operating a gambling house and criminal use of property and animal cruelty. * Kevin L. Dunigan, 34, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Jason St. Claire, 25, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Mark Anthony Hyatt, 37, operating a gambling house, animal cruelty and criminal use of property. * Edgar Pyle, 77, operating a gambling house, animal cruelty, criminal use of property, and engaging in gambling. * Donald Pyle, 75, Federal search warrant. * James Kenneth Henderson, 41, operating a gambling house, criminal use of property, animal cruelty and engaging in gambling. * Randall Gene Long, 32, operating a gambling house, criminal use of property, animal cruelty and engaging in gambling. * Hayden C. Hice, 80, operating a gambling house, criminal use of property, animal cruelty and engaging in gambling. * James Franklin Shoemaker, 46, Maintaining a Gambling House and animal cruelty. * Bobby Gene Socia, 45, Maintaining a Gambling House and animal cruelty. * James Larry Porter, 62, operating a gambling house, animal cruelty and engaging in gambling. * Jimmy Ovrel Wixon, 49, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Sharon Kaye Sprinkle, 45, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Timothy Sprinkle, 52, operating a gambling house and criminal use of property. * Theresa Ann Jones, 52, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty. * Jesus Martinez, age unspecified, operating a gambling house and animal cruelty.

Source: 4029 TV - May 21, 2007 Update posted on May 24, 2007 - 3:42PM

Three men arrested in connection with the weekend raid of a cockfighting operation made their first appearance in Crawford County Circuit Court Wednesday. Judge Gary Cottrell ruled there was probable cause to file charges against Mark Hyatt, 37, and Timothy Sprinkle, 46, both of Van Buren, as well as Justin McHone, who gave his residence at Arrow Point. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Mark Houston identified Hyatt and Sprinkle as major operators in the organization and said McHone owned birds that fought at the events, held at 10100 Shiloh Road in rural Crawford County. Hyatt, a laborer for Crawford Construction Co., and Sprinkle, who is self-employed in siding installation, face felony charges of operating a gambling house, criminal use of property or laundering criminal proceeds and engaging in a continuing criminal gang, organization or enterprise. Both are also charged with cruelty to animals, a misdemeanor. They were arrested on warrants issued in the course of an undercover investigation of the operation conducted between Nov. 25, 2006 and May 15. McHone faces charges of operating a gambling house and cruelty to animals. Law enforcement officers arrested him on a probable cause warrant at the location of the fights. An affidavit for Hyatt said he was identified as a referee at the fights as well as a security officer. The document said undercover officers observed him banding the birds to designate their fighting classification. An affidavit accompanying Sprinkle's warrant said he was seen acting as scorekeeper and working security at the fights. Cottrell set bond at $3,500 for all three men. The three in court were among 81 people arrested during the Saturday raid. Prosecuting Attorney Marc McCune said numerous arrest warrants are yet to be served in connection with the operation. He said it could take weeks before all warrants are served and all state charges are filed.

Source: Times-Record - May 24, 2007 Update posted on May 24, 2007 - 12:40PM

Numerous felony arrest warrants are yet to be served in connection with an illegal cockfighting and gambling operation in Crawford County, according to Prosecuting Attorney Marc McCune. During a Saturday raid, 81 were arrested on felony charges related to keeping gambling house statutes when more than 125 law enforcement officers executed two federal search warrants at 10100 Shiloh Road near Cedarville. A search warrant also was executed at 3523 Kenner Chapel Road in the Rudy Community. Taken into custody was main player in the cockfighting operation, James Henderson, 41, who lives at the Kenner Chapel Road address, McCune said. Also arrested were Kenneth and Cecilia Henderson, both 40, who were listed as the owners of the Shiloh Road property. McCune said all three were arrested on suspicion of operating a gambling house, criminal use of property and contributing to a criminal enterprise, all felonies, and misdemeanor cruelty to animals. There were 61 misdemeanor citations issued by officers during the course of Saturday's raids. The citations were all related to violations of gambling participation statutes. McCune said it could be days, even weeks, before all the warrants are served. He said it would be a month or even two months before state charges are filed. "We are waiting on reports from the FBI," McCune said. "We need to compile all the information before charges can be filed. Meanwhile on Monday, Robert C. Balfe, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, filed a forfeit complaint for the property at 10100 Shiloh Road. "Property used in furtherance of an illegal gambling business is subject to forfeiture," Blafe said. "Procedures provide that persons who claim an ownership or other interest in the property will receive notice and will be given an opportunity to contest the forfeiture action." McCune said the Shiloh Road location consists of residential structures as well as a large out-building equipped with "fighting pits" and is designed to accommodate spectators. Entrance to the 120-acre site was through a locked gate, McCune said, with a guard shack where security guards checked a picture ID card. The 6,000-square-foot out-building for cockfighting was surrounded by trailers designed to house the roosters. The trailers were either rented or purchased and were temperature and humidity controlled, McCune said. McCune said the cock fighting building had seating for 198 on three sides of the main arena, an elevated press box with public address system and concession stands for both food and cockfighting paraphernalia, including spurs, grinders to sharpen the spurs and needles to inject vitamins, or even methamphetamine, to get roosters ready to fight. At the back of the building were three chutes in which dead roosters were pushed into barrels, McCune said. The walls were covered with blood, photographs revealed. McCune said authorities have been investigating the cockfight and gambling operation since last August when an undercover officer on the East Coast tipped local police. The Arkansas State Police sent in an undercover male officer while the FBI paired a female agent to pose as boyfriend and girlfriend. "They had to be introduced to a member to get their own membership in late January before they could get in." Since then, the two have been gathering information on organizers, cock handlers, fighters, referees, security guards and concession workers, the prosecutor said. McCune said memberships cost $50 with a weekly charge of $20 and $5 seats. The season opened Nov. 25 and was to run through July 14 with a three-day show over Memorial Day weekend and several tribute shows and a benefit for "children's hospital." Entry fees ranged from $200 to $500 and the night's winner could pocket from $35,000 to $50,000, McCune said. Money also exchanged hands through side-bets between cock owners, handlers and spectators. McCune estimated more than $1 million passed through the operation since August. However, he noted that few "locals" were involved in the operation. Most were from Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and Texas, he said. Among those taken into custody on Saturday were Bill McNatt, the elementary principal at Keota Public Schools; and Mark Hyatt and Brian and Stephanie Pope of Crawford County. "It is amazing this has been going on for so long and so few knew about it," McCune said. "Some of those living in the area were aware of the operation because they knew where we were going when Saturday's operation began to unfold." McCune said the operation could have been going on for two to three years following the closing of a similar operation north of Muldrow. A third search warrant was executed by federal and state authorities in Oklahoma on Saturday at the residence of the woman who is believed to be in charge of the membership role for a cockfighting association. Authorities were armed with 51 arrest warrants on Saturday morning. Additional felony charges will result from arrests made at the site, McCune said. About 25 vehicles also were seized from the about 150 who were present, McCune said. Vehicles were seized if they contained cock coops or other fighting paraphernalia. "We had an agreement with the feds going in that they would keep cash over $1,000 and the state would get anything under $1,000," McCune said. As of Monday afternoon, the state had tallied $23,000, 19 vehicles and one four-wheeler. Approximately $30,000 to $40,000 in cash and four vehicles were seized by FBI agents. The investigation had involved officers of the Crawford County Sheriff's Department, Arkansas State Police, 21st District Prosecuting Attorney, Drug Task Force, U.S. Attorney's Office, FBI, U.S. Marshal's Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Between 250 and 300 roosters were destroyed by USDA, McCune said.

Source: Press-Argus - May 24, 2007 Update posted on May 24, 2007 - 12:14PM

References

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