FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Dean R. Argo
(334) 213-6330
Suspected Covington County, Ala.
Cockfight Ring Raided
(Jan. 26, 2014) – Authorities have
raided an Andalusia, Ala. property; arrested six individuals suspected of
cockfighting and seized nine birds. The raid at 21440 J Byrd Road in Andalusia was the result of a joint investigation among several
Alabama law enforcement agencies and The Humane Society of the United States.
Investigators found cockfighting
paraphernalia on the property, including razor-sharp gaffs, which resemble
curved ice picks, and injectable drugs. Alabama Alcohol Beverage Control Board
investigators, the Covington County District Attorney’s office, the 22nd
Judicial Drug Task Force and Covington County Sheriff’s Office were on the
scene to assist with the raid.
Six cockfight attendees were
arrested and charged with aggravated animal cruelty. Three additional arrests
were made and misdemeanor charges were filed. All the individuals below were
arrested and placed in the Covington County Jail. Arrested and charged were:
Timothy Andrew Nevels, Age 24 - Aggravated
Animal Cruelty X1
Bobby Joe Stanton, Age 27 -
Aggravated Animal Cruelty X 1
Brandon Lee Worley - Aggravated
animal Cruelty X 2
Faye Simmons Jowers, Age 84 -
Keeping Cock Pit X 2
Arnold Richard Treadway, Age 25 -
Aggravated Animal Cruelty x 1
Eric Thomas Shaddix, Age 34 -
Aggravated Animal Cruelty X 1
Ryan Carey Copeland, Age 49 -
Aggravated animal cruelty X 2
Levi Matthew Taylor, Age 24 -
Possession of Marijuana II & Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Rickie Dewayne Tillis, Age 35 - Possession
of Marijuana II & Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
The investigation was initiated
after complaints about illegal cockfighting, illegal alcohol sales, and other
crimes were received by the District Attorney’s Office. The DA then asked for assistance from the ABC
Board Enforcement Division. At least 12
ABC Agents from the Andalusia, Dothan and Montgomery offices were involved in
the 6-8 week investigation.
Chris Schindler, manager of animal
fighting investigations for The HSUS said, “All of the roosters we found had
been brought to fight to the death with knives tied to their legs. We commend
the Alabama Alcohol Beverage Board for their quick action to shut down this
cockfighting pit. And we hope this sends a message that Alabama has a
no-nonsense attitude toward this barbaric practice.”
The HSUS assisted law enforcement in examining and
documenting the birds on the scene. Experts from The HSUS and investigators
with ABC were on hand to help identify and document evidence and coordinate the
rescue effort.
-
30 -