DATE: October 26, 2025 / 11:29 a.m.
INCIDENT: PC 597 – Cruelty to Animals
LOCATION: 17100 Block of Darwin Avenue, Hesperia
SUSPECT(S): Juan Pantoja 48, Los Angeles
Jario Diaz Munoz 61, Downey
Guillermo Plancarte 67, Riverside
Saul Satibanez Gomez 60, Hesperia
Gilberto Chavez Navarro 45, Long Beach
Oscar Lopez 45, North Hills
Luis Gonzalez Celis 37, Anaheim
Jose Tova Hurtado 60, Fontana
Zutllamy Mata 40, Downey
Alan Segoviano 32, Adelanto
Samuel Perez 47, Hemet
Francisco Sandoval 59, Coachella Valley
Antonio Rodriguez 28, Compton
Fernando Arana Contreras 42, Hesperia
Gustavo Rivas 63, Glendale
Julio Becerra 35, Compton
Maria Bustillo 34, Compton
Natalie Flores Gilbert 21, San Diego
Jose Camarillo 50, Hesperia
Kimberly Delgado 27, San Diego
Karla Ambriz Quezada 33, Norwalk
Matthew Perez 24, Hemet
Ricardo Perez 24, Hemet
Jessica Nunez Rivas 64, Los Angeles
Manuel Salinas 51, Hesperia
Antonio Villa 28, Hesperia
SUMMARY:
On Sunday, October 26, 2025, at about 11:29 a.m., Hesperia Station deputies responded to the 17100 block of Darwin Avenue, for an unknown problem involving multiple people. Upon arrival at the business, numerous subjects ran from the building. With the assistance of Sheriff’s Aviation and deputies from Victorville City Station, 26 subjects were detained.
Deputies searched inside the business for additional subjects and found an active cock fight. Rural Crimes Task Force was contacted and assumed the investigation.
A search warrant was written for the business and vehicles on the property. During the search, investigators located a cock fighting ring, 56 live roosters housed individually, 24 deceased roosters, score cards, gaffs, five firearms and food catering.
Between the 26 subjects, investigators collected as evidence approximately $28,000 in U.S. currency. Inside multiple vehicles investigators located numerous gaffs and other items indicative of illegal cock fighting. Hesperia Animal Control was contacted and responded to assist with the investigation. Transportation vans from the High Desert Detention Center responded to assist with the transportation of the suspects. The suspects were booked at the High Desert Detention Center for felony charges.
Although cock fighting is legal in other countries, it is not legal in the United States. The Rural Crimes Team takes these investigations very seriously and will investigate them to the fullest and suspects will be arrested.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Lucerne Valley Sheriff’s Sub-Station at 760-248-7328. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to wetip.com.
Refer: Sergeant Joe Necochea
Station: Lucerne Valley
Phone No. (760) 248-7328
Case No. RTR2500062
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
