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Luis Pena, Jr. with attorney John Greer.
Five men involved in cockfighting ring sentenced.
#OceanaCountyCrime
By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.
HART — Five men involved in the cockfighting ring that was raided by police last June in Hart Township were sentenced in 27th Circuit Court Monday, Oct. 15. Four of the five pleaded guilty last August to a felony of attending an animal fight.
Carl McGraw with attorney Rick Prysock.
Carl George McGraw, 70, of Niles was sentenced to three days in jail with credit for three days served and one year probation.
“I’m just really sorry that this happened,” McGraw said to Judge Robert D. Springstead.
Luis Pena Jr., 74, of Fennville received the same sentence as McGraw.
The attorneys in both McGraw’s and Pena’s cases asked the judge for leniency due to their clients’ age and that they both care for wives who are not in good health. Sentencing guidelines in both cases were zero to 30 days.
Tony Pena with attorney Richard Catalino.
Tony Pena, 53, of Fennville and Roy Enrique Guerra, 23, of Grant received deferred, supervised sentences. If they abide by the terms during a 10-month probationary period, they can withdraw their pleas to the felony and plead to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly – gambling. Both are scheduled to appear in court Aug. 12, 2019.
German Gonzalez-Nava, 31, of Comstock Park was convicted of a misdemeanor of disorderly — gambling and received a sentence of time served, which was 51 days in jail.
“I am very sorry,” said Gonzalez-Nava through Spanish translator
Roy Guerra with attorney Mark Miller.
Kathy Fuehring. “I wish this wouldn’t have happened.”
Restitution totaling $951.80 is joint and several among the co-defendants.
A total of 18 suspects were arrested in connection to the cockfighting ring. Their criminal cases have been going through the court system over the last several months.
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.
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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