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TALLAHASSEE ‒ Last week, investigators with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE), assisted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO), and the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC), executed a search warrant at 1915 S.E. Calhoun Road, Mayo, Florida as part of “Operation Fowl Play,” a months-long investigation into illegal cockfighting rings illicitly operating in rural North Florida.

When law enforcement officers entered the scene to serve the search warrant, they discovered a gathering of participants and onlookers actively engaged in the illegal blood sport of fighting or baiting of animals and immediately began effecting arrests.  FDC canine assisted in apprehending several suspects who attempted to avoid arrest by fleeing on foot. 

After the scene was secured, the court-authorized search of the area resulted in the discovery of three deceased birds and the seizure of 41 birds that had been brought to the location for the sole purpose of pitting them against each other in cruel fights to the death.  Investigators also seized several firearms, large quantities of cash, and illegal controlled substances as part of the operation. 

“Every day, our department’s law enforcement professionals are working hard to track down and crack down on criminal activity in our state,” said Commissioner Fried. “Such abhorrent behavior will not be tolerated – be it illegal conduct hurting Floridians or cruelty against animals. Thanks to our law enforcement team and partners, this ring was broken up and the individuals involved are being brought to justice.”

A total of 29 adult defendants and one juvenile defendant were arrested and charged as follows:

  • Arrestee: Mario Martinez Alvarez, Hispanic male, DOB: 01/09/1977, At large; Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Ronald Amburgy, White male, DOB: 01/30/1951, Ocala, Florida, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Juan Avilar, Hispanic male, DOB: 06/17/1986, Live Oak, Florida, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Octavio Besera, Hispanic male, DOB: 03/22/1984, Williston, Florida, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Preciliano Carrillo, Jr., Hispanic male, DOB: 10/22/1986, Valdosta, Georgia, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Jesus Cavillio, Hispanic male, DOB: 01/23/1980, Valdosta, Georgia, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Angeles Diaz, Hispanic male, DOB: 11/20/1970, DeLeon Springs, Florida, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Thomas Equi, Hispanic male, DOB: 06/17/1959, Reddick, Florida, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Omar Alonzo Martinez-Gonzales, Hispanic male, DOB: 02/06/1977, Mayo, Florida, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Juan Gerardo Hernandez-Menendez, Hispanic male, DOB: 12/07/1984, Mayo, Florida, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Adela Monroy, Hispanic male, DOB: 06/15/1985, Mayo, Florida, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Alejando Moreno, Hispanic male, DOB: 05/03/1992, Live Oak, Florida, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Alejandro Landaverde Moreno, Hispanic male, DOB: 05/03/1999, Live Oak, Florida, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Anthony Thomas Moreno, Hispanic male, DOB: 07/29/1996, Satsuma, Florida, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Gonzalo Munoz, Hispanic male, DOB: 08/22/1968, Morriston, Florida, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Ismael Nava, Hispanic male, DOB: 07/29/1974, Valdosta, Georgia, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Jose De Jesus Martinez Nunez, Hispanic male, DOB: 01/12/1978, Astor, Florida, Charges:Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (b), F.S., Owning, possessing, or selling equipment for use in Animal Fighting - Third Degree Felony, 1 count.Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Juan Hernandez Oviedo, Hispanic male, DOB: 12/09/1985, Live Oak, Florida, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Juan Manuel Hernandez Oviedo, Hispanic male, DOB: 04/19/1986, Mayo Florida, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Renee Ruska Pelzman. White female, DOB: 04/15/1957, Ocala, Florida, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Juan Aguilar-Perez, Hispanic male, DOB: 07/17/1986, Live Oak, Florida, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Scott Phillips, White male, DOB: 09/11/1990, Lake City, Florida., Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (b), F.S., Owning, possessing, or selling equipment for use in Animal Fighting - Third Degree Felony, 1 count. Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count. Violation of Section 893.13 (1)(a)(1), F.S., Distribution of Cannabis (Weight 65 grams), Second Degree Felony, 1 count , Violation of Section 790.23 (1)(a) - Felon in Possession of a Firearm (AR-15), Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Rickie Ramirez, Hispanic male, DOB: 03/11/1992, Tampa, Florida, 
  • Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Jose Rodas, Hispanic male, DOB: 12/30/1981, Morrison, Florida, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Antonio Sanchez, Hispanic male, DOB: 10/14/1978, Ocala, Florida, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Jose Luis Cruz-Torres, Hispanic male, DOB: 08/17/1984, Pierson, Florida, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count, Violation of Section 827.03 (2) (d), F.S., Child Neglect, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Rene Turgios, Hispanic male, DOB: 11/11/1975, Mayo Florida, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Reninel Tusio, Hispanic male, DOB: 05/22/1976, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Reymundo Cruz Zarate, Hispanic male, DOB: 07/03/1969, Crescent City, Florida, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.
  • Arrestee: Juvenile, Charges: Violation of Section 828.122 (3) (h), F.S., Attending the fighting or baiting of animals, Third Degree Felony, 1 count.

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