Edin Rodas, 37, was sentenced Monday to spend 18 months on probation after pleading guilty to charges of operating a cockfighting business in Hopkins Township.
He was arrested in September last year and was accused of animal fighting, killing, and torturing the birds on his property..
Rodas pleaded guilty last month to one count of animal fighting, one count of animal fighting/equipment, and one count of killing/torturing animals.
Allegan County Sheriff’s investigators said they found 36 dead roosters and other evidence related to a suspected cockfighting operation at the Hopkins Township property. The operation was first brought to the attention of authorities by the group Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK), a national organization dedicated to stopping cockfighting.
A drone was used to capture video of an active cockfight July 26 last year after receiving an anonymous tip, according to Steve Hindi, founder and president of SHARK. The footage was turned over to law enforcement, allowing deputies to search the rural property on July 30. Besides finding dead roosters, investigators said they uncovered spurs, syringes, suspected steroids, fighting tools, suspected decomposed remains, and a wooden club that appeared to be bloody.
The affidavit states that money was being exchanged during the fights, including information alleging a $50 per person entry fee. A $2,000 cash band was found inside of a freezer, which authorities said suggest potential gambling.
