{"id":181580,"date":"2022-12-08T21:59:13","date_gmt":"2022-12-09T02:59:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breaking911.com\/?p=181580"},"modified":"2022-12-08T21:59:13","modified_gmt":"2022-12-09T02:59:13","slug":"family-sentenced-by-feds-for-running-one-of-the-largest-cockfighting-enterprises-in-the-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breaking911.com\/family-sentenced-by-feds-for-running-one-of-the-largest-cockfighting-enterprises-in-the-us\/","title":{"rendered":"Family Sentenced By Feds For Running ‘One Of The Largest Cockfighting Enterprises’ In The US"},"content":{"rendered":"

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA \u2013 A seventh and final Verbena, Alabama, resident was sentenced yesterday for violating the Animal Welfare Act\u2019s prohibition against animal fighting ventures in connection with an expansive cockfighting operation. This marks the end of a series of sentencings in which the Court held four Alabama residents accountable for their roles in operating a large-scale cockfighting arena (cockfighting pit) and massive fighting-bird breeding businesses, and for conspiring to violate the Animal Welfare Act and to operate an illegal gambling business. The Court determined that the illegal conduct involved animal fighting on an \u201cexceptional scale\u201d and imposed sentences which reflect the unusual cruelty of a business model that relies on the death or injury of thousands of birds for entertainment and profit.<\/p>\n

The court issued the following sentences for four defendants who pleaded guilty to multiple felonies on August 5:<\/p>\n