Twenty-four people appeared in court on Monday after they were arrested in connection with an illegal animal fighting ring on Friday, according to Tewksbury Police.
Police said they received a tip that several people were gambling on cockfighting at a home on Chandler Street. When officers arrived, they said they found a look out, motion sensor lights and video surveillance equipment outside the home.
After entering the home, police said they found 22 people participating in a cockfight. The gamecocks were allegedly wearing metal spurs, designed to inflict more damage. Several packages of spurs, four kits with tape and more than $13,000 in cash were allegedly recovered at the home. Police said 18 gamecocks were found in cages and 5 were injured.
The alleged leaders of the fights, 41-year-old Frank Castro of Dorchester and 40-year-old Janet Montanes of Tewksbury were arrested and charged with cruelty to animals, being present at an animal fight, and keeping or promoting an animal fight.
The following suspects were arrested and charged with cruelty to animals, and being present at an animal fight:
- Cynthia Gonzalez, 41, of Lawrence
- Armando Maciel, 55, of Merrimack
- Vicente Sanchez, 31, of Lawrence
- Naury Rojas, 28, of Lawrence
- Itari Ribeiro Junior, 40, of Boylston
- Luis Castillo, 27, of Lawrence
- Ismeal Ortiz, 30, of Lawrence
- Felix Maldonado, 40, of Salem NH
- Angel Chinea, 32, of Lowell
- Carlos Castillo, 30, of Lawrence
- Angel Renta, 25, of Brookline
- Joan Mireles, 36, of Lowell
- Rafael Cardoso, 25, of Dracut
- Yan Ramirez, 25, of Lawrence
- Victor Rolon-Hernandez, 26, of Fitchburg
- Jorge Martinez, 43, of Fitchburg
- Juan Estevez, 47, of Lawrence
- Victor De Los Santos, 50, of Lawrence
- Richard Ramirez, 24, of Lawrence
- Deyvi Martinez, 36, of Lawrence
- Carlos De La Cruz, 30, of Lawrence
- Daury Medina, 30, of Methuen
All the suspects were arraigned at Lowell District Court on Monday.
Prosecutors said five of the animals will have to be euthanized.
All 24 suspects are due back in court in April.
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