15 cockfighting suspects arraigned.

15 cockfighting suspects arraigned.

#OceanaCountyCrime

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

HART — Fifteen men, none of whom reside in Oceana County, were arraigned in 78th District Court late Monday afternoon, June 4, facing felony charges in connection to a deadly cockfighting ring at 1811 N. 72nd Ave. in Hart Township.

All of the suspects face a felony charge of animals – attending a fight, which is punishable by up to four years in prison. A conviction would also require that they are not allowed to own an animal for up five years.

One suspect, Carl George McGraw, 70, of 2830 White St., Niles, Michigan, faces an additional felony charge of animals – fighting. McGraw is accused of taking a chicken with him as he attempted to escape into the woods, said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon. He is also a second-offense habitual offender.

Four of the suspects are placed on federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers because their immigration status is under review, Bizon said.

“The Michigan State Police is continuing to investigate who organized all of this,” he said.

The following is a list of all the suspects charged in the incident:

Carl McGraw

Carl George McGraw, 70, of 2830 White St., Niles, Michigan, animals – attending a fight; animals – fighting; and second-offense habitual offender.

John Pena

John Luis Pena, 34, of 2240 53rd St., Fennville, animals – attending a fight and second-offense habitual offender.

Luis Pena

Luis Pena Jr., 74, of 1741 56th St., Fennville, animals – attending a fight and second-offense habitual offender.

Jesus Ceja-Ochoa

Jesus Armando Ceja-Ochoa, 36, of 8724, Mundy Ave., Newaygo, animals – attending a fight with an ICE detainer.

Jesus Magana-Alvarez

Jesus Arnulfo Magana, 32, of 1044 E. Ash St., Grant, animals – attending a fight with an ICE detainer.

Jesus Magana

Jesus Magana, 73, of 11691, Walnut Ave., Grant, animals – attending a fight with an ICE detainer.

German Gonzalez-Nava

German Gonzalez-Nava, 31, of 3927 Yorkland Dr., NW., Comstock Park, animals – attending a fight with an ICE detainer.

Luis Alvarez

Luis Alfonso Alvarez, 64, of 8732 Mundy Ave., Newaygo, animals – attending a fight.

Miguel Alvares

Miguel Angel Alvarez, 31, of 8732 Mundy Ave., Newaygo, animals – attending a fight.

Pedro Mendoza

Pedro Verduzco Mendoza, 70, of 2258, 54th Ave., Fennville, animals – attending a fight.

Alejandro Mendoza

Alejandro Raul Mendoza, 26, of 2258 54th St., Fennville, animals – attending a fight.

Francisco Vasquez

Francisco Delose Vasquez, 17, of 106 E. 3rd St., Scottville, animals – attending a fight.

Gonzalo Magana-Chavez

Gonzalo Magana-Chavez, 44, of 3728 W. 104th St., Grant, animals – attending a fight.

Roy Guerra

Roy Enrique Guerra, 22, of 2157 E. 120th Ave., Grant – animals – attending a fight.

Tony Pena

Tony Pena, 53, of 1751 56th St., Fennville, animals – attending a fight.

All of the suspects are scheduled to appear in 78th District Court for a preliminary conference Monday, June 18 at 3 p.m. followed by a preliminary exam, June 25, at 3 p.m.

Their bonds were set at $10,000/10 percent.

Ten dead roosters were found in a pit, and police confiscated razor spurs that were attached to the roosters’ feet and vials of injectable stimulant used to make the chickens more aggressive. Several of the birds had cuts from the razors. Police found 35 live roosters that were either in pens or actively fighting in the woods.

Several suspects attempted to flee from the police in the densely wooded area.

It could the first time in Oceana County history that police were dispatched to a cockfighting ring, Michigan State Police Trooper Aaron Tubergen said. “It’s the first time we’ve ever investigated one, and it has not occurred in recent history to our knowledge.”

Tubergen said troopers were called to the scene after the property owner heard roosters cackling and called 911.

“At the scene, there was a large rooster fighting ring along with 35 live roosters that were either in pens or actively fighting in the woods. There was also a large pit that contained the bodies of 10 dead roosters,” states an MSP press release.

“Upon arrival at the suspected location, troopers located a large group of people, approximately 30 individuals, on scene who were participating in an illegal rooster fighting/gambling activity. When law enforcement contacted the large group, many attempted to flee the scene into the densely wooded area surrounding the venue. Many of the individuals who fled were located by

troopers and local law enforcement on scene. An MSP K9 assisted at the scene and located six individuals a short distance away who were attempting to hide from law enforcement.”

A total of 16 vehicles on private property were impounded from the scene.

MSP was assisted by the DNR, Oceana

County Sheriff’s Office, Oceana County Animal Control, Hart City Police Department and Pentwater Police Department.

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Tags: Cockfighting ring