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Local man charged in connection to cockfighting ring.
#OceanaCountyCrime
By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.
Vasquez-Melchor
HART — A 19-year-old Shelby man was recently arraigned in 78th District Court on a felony charge of animals – attending a fight in connection to a deadly cockfighting ring in Hart Township earlier this month.
Hector Francisco Vasquez-Melchor, of 101 72nd Ave., Shelby, was arrested June 4 by the Michigan State Police. Fifteen other suspects were also arrested.
Vasquez-Melchor has a preliminary conference scheduled for July 2 at 3 p.m. His bail was set at $10,000/cash/surety/10 percent.
Vasquez-Melchor and the 15 other men, none of whom reside in Oceana County, face felony charges in connection to the cockfighting ring at 1811 N. 72nd Ave.
The felony charge of animals – attending a fight is punishable by up to four years in prison. A conviction would also require that the suspects are not allowed to 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.
A total of 16 vehicles on private property were impounded from the scene.
This story is copyrighted © 2018, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.
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