| Nature of Incident: |
Arrests in Cockfighting Operation |
| Report Number: |
18-92477 & 18-99224 |
| Location: |
900 Block of Santa Ana Blvd, Oak View, CA |
| Date & Time: |
June 27, 2018 @ 10:00 a.m. |
| Unit Responsible: |
Ojai Police Department
Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau
Ventura County Animal Services
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| (S)uspects, (V)ictims, (A)rrestee |
City of Residence
|
Age |
(A) Pedro Robledo Cisneros (photo)
(A) Roberto Lopez Rodriguez
(A) Luis Felipe Santillan (photo)
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Oak View, CA
Oak View, CA
Oak View, CA
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53
31
25 |
| Narrative: |
On June 27, 2018, investigators from the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau, Ojai Police Department and Ventura County Animal Services executed a search warrant in the 900 block of Santa Ana Boulevard looking for evidence of a possible cockfighting operation. During the service of the warrant, detectives arrested three suspects and located nearly 200 roosters that had been prepared/trained for cockfighting, along with hundreds of additional hens and chicks. Detectives also located training supplies, cockfighting implements and controlled substances that were believed to be used for the purposes of cockfighting.
Cockfighting is a “blood sport” in which two roosters specifically bred and trained for aggressiveness are placed “beak to beak” in a small ring and encouraged to fight to the death. In natural settings, roosters may fight over territory or a mate, but these fights are usually brief and don't involve serious injury. In organized cockfights, the roosters' natural instincts are often times aggravated by using controlled substance, such as cocaine.
In the fighting ring, the roosters often wear long and sharp dagger-like attachments that transform their natural spurs into knives to inflict maximum injury. These blades are sharp enough to cause serious injury. A typical fight can last anywhere from a few seconds to 15 minutes. While the rules usually do not require one or both birds to die in order for a winner to be declared, death is often the outcome due to the severity of the injuries inflicted.
As a result of this investigation, Luis Santillan was arrested for one count of possessing roosters for cockfighting, one count of possession of cockfighting implements and one count of possessing narcotics for sales. He is scheduled to appear in Ventura County Superior Court on 06/29/2018.
Pedro Cisneros was arrested for one count of possessing roosters for cockfighting. Roberto Rodriguez was arrested for one count of possessing roosters for cockfighting and one count of possession of cockfighting implements. They were both booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility and are scheduled to appear in court on 08/24/2018.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office staffs an agricultural crimes detective within its Major Crimes Bureau. This detective investigates farm related crimes that occur in the unincorporated areas of the county. These crimes often include thefts of produce and farm equipment, and acts of animal cruelty. This detective can be reached at (805) 384-4726.
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Prepared by:
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Detective Greg Cadman |
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| News Release Date: |
June 28, 2018 |
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| Media Follow-Up Contact: |
Sheriff’s Office:
Detective Greg Cadman
(805) 797-6424
[email protected]
Animal Services:
Field Operations Supervisor Bryan Bray
(805) 383-4717
[email protected]
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| Approved by: |
Captain J. Miller |
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