Cockfighting ring leader found guilty by jury.

November 29, 2018

– Crime scene investigation photo.

WARNING: SOME PHOTOS MAY BE CONSIDERED GRAPHIC.

Cockfighting ring leader found guilty by jury.

#OceanaCountyCrime

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

HART — A jury in 27th Circuit Court Wednesday, Nov. 28, found a 37-year-old Shelby man guilty of a felony of animals – fighting in connection to a cockfighting ring that was raided by police last June in Hart Township.

Madrigal

Lazaro Daniel Madrigal, of 101 S. 72nd Ave., faces up to nine months in jail with estimated sentencing guidelines of 0-9 months, said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon.

“This is the person who organized the cockfighting ring,” Bizon said.

It only took the jury 10 minutes of deliberation to find Madrigal guilty, he said.

“I am very thankful to Trooper Aaron Tubergen, the rest of the Michigan State Police and assisting agencies such as the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, Hart police, Pentwater police, the DNR and Oceana County Animal Control. The police put together an excellent investigation.”

Sixteen other men were arrested in connection to the cockfighting

– Crime scene investigation photo.

ring at 1811 N. 72nd Ave.

The felony charge of animals – attending a fight is punishable by up to four years in prison. He could also be ordered to not own an animal for up five years.

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.

Nearly all of the other suspects have been sentenced in connection

– Crime scene investigation photo.

to the cockfighting ring, except one who absconded bond and is wanted on a warrant.

Madrigal’s wife, Yesenia Jovana Madrigal, was also criminally charged for allegedly collecting money at the chicken fight, but her charge was dismissed when the person who identified her failed to appear at her preliminary exam, Bizon said. The witness may have been deported to Mexico. If he can be brought back to testify, her criminal charge will be re-issued.

– Crime scene investigation photo.

Retired 27th Circuit Court Judge Anthony A. Monton presided over trial, and he will sentence Madrigal Jan. 28 at 8:30 a.m.

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