LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - Nineteen residents of southern New Mexico and western Texas have been cited in connection to a cockfighting ring discovered in Berino earlier this year.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports (https://bit.ly/2nhNAXZ ) that the suspects were charged with cockfighting, a petty misdemeanor. They were not arrested.
Nine suspects have pleaded no contest to the cockfighting charges and will face sentences of probation. Nine other suspects have pleaded not guilty.
The citations come after the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office discovered an alleged cockfighting ring on Jan. 28 in Berino. More than 100 people had gathered at a home for what authorities say was an organized event.
Deputies seized an impounded more than 200 roosters in addition to cockfighting paraphernalia.
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Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News, https://www.lcsun-news.com
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