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Shelby couple arrested in connection to cockfighting ring.
#OceanaCountyCrime
By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.
HART — A Shelby couple has been arraigned in connection to a cockfighting ring that was raided by police last month in Hart Township.
Lazaro Daniel Madrigal, 36, of 101 S. 72nd Ave., and Yesenia Jovana Madrigal, 37, of the same address were arrested July 17 by the Michigan State Police for a felony count of animals – fighting and a second-offense habitual offender notice.
“Lazaro is charged with being an organizer of an animal fight,” said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon. “Yesenia is charged with collecting money in connection with an animal fight.”
Both are scheduled to appear in 78th District Court for a preliminary conference Monday, July 30, at 3 p.m. Their bail was set at $10,000/cash/surety/10 percent.
According to their court files, both have a previous felony conviction of controlled substance possession Dec. 27, 2000 in Oceana County’s 27th Circuit Court.
Sixteen other men were arrested 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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