52 arrested, $37,000 seized — Massive cockfighting ring busted in Galloway Twp., NJ
Authorities in Atlantic County say 52 people were arrested over the weekend when a massive cockfighting ring was broken up.
Cockfighting Ring Broken Up in Galloway Township
The Galloway Township Police Department says their officers executed a search warrant at a property on the 300 block of South Bremen Avenue Saturday.
Arriving officers encountered a large group of people and many tried to flee.
During a search, "police located an elaborate cockfighting operation that included a constructed cockfighting ring, spectator style seating, and numerous cockfighting 'kits'."
Officials allegedly found 50 roosters in varying degrees of health, in crates, storage boxes, and bags in and around the cockfighting arena.
As a result of the search warrant, 52 people were arrested and over $37,000 in cash was seized.
After consulting with state officials, the roosters were relocated.
Four dogs, three of which were "living in inhumane conditions in an outdoor shed," were also seized and turned over to animal control.
52 People Arrested
The homeowner, Jose Madera, was arrested and charged with numerous animal cruelty offenses, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, destruction of evidence, and resisting arrest.
The following people were also identified as participants in the cockfighting operation and criminally charged, per police:
- Patricio Acosta, 65, of Philadelphia, PA
- Josue Arroyo, 52, of Vineland, NJ
- Arroyo Blanco, 40, of Perth Amboy, NJ
- Juan Carlo Carrion-Cortes, 46, of Philadelphia, PA
- Guillermo Celada, 63, of Camden, NJ
- Joseph Cubi-Camacho, 26, of Vineland, NJ
- Berdover Diaz, 45, of Hammonton, NJ
- Domingo Duran-Montesino, 41, of Camden, NJ
- Juan Elias Pena-Duran, 33, of Hamilton, NJ
- Luis Fenrnandez-Tavarez, 36, of North Bergen, NJ
- Lolitha Glenn, 51, of Greenwich, NJ
- Jason Gonzalez, 44, of Warminster, PA
- Jimmy Hadden, 50, of Greenwich, NJ
- Rafael Hernandez, 67, of Philadelphia, PA
- Luiggi Jiminez-Diaz, 30, of Trenton, NJ
- Walter Jones, 52, of Vineland, NJ
- Anthony Lugo, 40, of Vineland, NJ
- Stephanie Kanshiro, 33, of Galloway Township, NJ
- Felix Medina, 64, of Trenton, NJ
- Angel Ocasio, 40, of Bridgeton, NJ
- Jonathan Palfy, 37, of Browns Mills, NJ
- Felipe Perez, 59, of Philadelphia, PA
- Irving Perez, 33, of Pennsauken, NJ
- Juan Perez, 40, of Pennsauken, NJ
- Rudis Perez-Perez, 46, of Perth Amboy, NJ
- Yomery Pichardo-Perez, 30, of Camden, NJ
- Bienvenido Polanco, 60, of Tappan, NY
- Guillermo Polanco, 68, of Egg Harbor Township, NJ
- Jose Quinones Jr., 56, of Warminster, PA
- Peter Rios, 50, of Lumberton, NJ
- Peter Rios, Jr., 27, of Blackwood, NJ
- Luis Rivera-Campos, 36, of Camden, NJ
- Alan Rodriguez, 29, of Allentown, PA
- Victor Rodriguez, Jr., 51, of Camden, NJ
- Pedro Rodriguez-Santiago, 48, of Philadelphia, PA
- Luis Roman, 62, of Trenton, NJ
- Ramon Rosa, Jr., 57, of Hamilton, NJ
- Javier Santos-Gonzales, 32, Pleasantville, NJ
- Jose Quinones, Jr., 56, of Warminster, PA
- Rafael Quinones-Serrano, 51, of Bristol, PA
- Juan Solino-Valerio, 37, of Elizabeth, NJ
- Steven Sotnychuk, 55, of Vineland, NJ
- Roberto Soto, 76, of Camden, NJ
- Edwin Tavarez, 33, of Philadelphia, PA
- Kenny Tejada-Torres, 23, of Perth Amboy, NJ
- Miguel Torres, 61, of Columbus, NJ
- Jose Fransisco Torres-Peralta, 45, of Philadelphia, PA
- Jose Valerio, 62, of Perth Amboy, NJ
- Leowis Valerio-Jaquez, 40, of Perth Amboy, NJ
- Daniel Vargas-Baez, 35, of Camden, NJ
- Louis Vazquez, 45, of Landsdale, PA
The Galloway Township Police Department remains committed to investigating all crimes including claims of animal cruelty. Anyone wishing to report a tip can call (609) 652-3705.
The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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