Cockfighting - 27 birds seized
Jefferson County, CO (US)Incident Date: Friday, Mar 14, 2008
County: Jefferson
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged:
» Dang Vang - Convicted
» Billy Thao
» Sieng Vang - Convicted
» Ma Vang - Convicted
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
Four men from Minnesota were arrested Friday for allegedly transporting roosters used for illegal cockfighting, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
The men were in a minivan headed east on Interstate 70 through Jefferson County when they were pulled over for a routine traffic violation, and a trooper noticed some "suspicious activity," Trooper Gilbert Mares said.
"They did find 27 chickens in the vehicle," Mares said.
Officials at the scene told 7NEWS the men were transporting the birds from California to their home state of Minnesota.
Mares identified the four men as Dang Vang, 23; Billy Thao, 21; Sieng Vang, 24; and Ma Vang, 25; all of Saint Paul, Minn. All four were booked into jail and face a charge of animal fighting, a class 5 felony, Mares said.
Officials from Colorado's Department of Agriculture helped collect the birds, which were found in vented cardboard containers. The birds were taken to an area animal shelter and held as evidence for the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office.
Colorado has some of the toughest laws when it comes to the illegal blood sport. Even watching a fight can be prosecuted as a felony.
Mares said commenting on any statements the men may have made about why they had the birds could compromise the case.
"We stop sport utility vehicles every day. This was a little bit unusual to see all of these animals," Mares said.
7NEWS spoke with two men at the Jefferson County Jail who claimed they were there to bail out the four suspects Friday evening. Both said they were not aware of the birds or any illegal activity.
Case UpdatesIn March, Colorado State Troopers stopped a minivan for speeding along Interstate 70 in Jefferson County. Three of four men accused of felony animal fighting have pleaded guilty in the case.
Troopers searched the van finding 15 boxes of live chickens and roosters. A veterinarian brought in determined they had been bred for cockfighting. Troopers also found a video camera containing footage of a cockfight.
Monday, three of the four men who were in the van pleaded guilty to felony animal fighting. Sieng Vang and Dang Vang were each sentenced to two years probation.
Ma Vang is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 2.
The fourth man, Billy Thao, pleaded not guilty and is expected to go to trial in November.
All four are from St. Paul, Minnesota. | Source: 9 News - July 11, 2008
Update posted on Jul 11, 2008 - 8:16PM |
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