A 3rd particular person linked to an Amarillo cockfighting ring has been sentenced as a part of a wider playing investigation.
A custodial jail time period was imposed on Salvador Sanchez Chávez, 49, after the case led by United States Legal professional for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould uncovered extra wrongdoing.
Chávez case stems from wider cockfighting playing investigation
The case stems again to an investigation led by the Dallas Area Workplace (Amarillo Resident Company) of Homeland Safety Investigations (HSI).
In February 2025, three people, together with Chávez, have been indicted for his or her roles on this animal-fighting enterprise, which violated the federal Animal Welfare Act.
Alongside HSI, the case concerned a number of companies, together with the Potter County Sheriff’s Workplace, Texas State Recreation Wardens, the Amarillo Police Division, the Texas Division of Public Security, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which performed the investigation, together with assist from the Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Middle.
In an announcement on Fb, the middle said: “Finally, the choice was made that these roosters needed to be humanely euthanized. Whereas that end result isn’t simple, we discover consolation in understanding that for the time they spent with us, they have been proven compassion. They have been fed, saved heat, spoken to softly, and allowed to easily exist as roosters—free from concern, ache, and expectation.
“Some days on this work are stunning. Some days are heartbreaking. And a few days remind us precisely why this work matter.”
Particular Agent in Cost Travis Pickard stated, “Savagely pitting defenseless animals in opposition to one another for sport, playing, or private enjoyment is merciless and sadistic, and the illicit proceeds are sometimes used to gas different transnational felony exercise.”
Third individual sentenced
Chávez was one of many people, together with Ivan Herrera Lopez, 45, and Jaime Gamez Resendiz, 34, linked to a grievance that the Potter County Sheriff’s Workplace responded to at a property in Amarillo on February 10, 2024.
Upon arrival on the scene, a stay cockfighting contest was ongoing, and as a part of the testimony of the attending deputies, there have been “a number of lifeless roosters, over 160 stay combating roosters, metallic blades or talons used to affix to the roosters’ ft for combating, syringes and medicines used to spice up the roosters’ adrenaline earlier than a struggle.”
The proof confirmed a marker board for documenting bets and different objects indicative of a cockfighting playing operation being in progress.
“Cockfighting just isn’t a sport. It’s flat-out merciless,” stated U.S. Legal professional Ryan Raybould. “This prosecution and the sentences mirror the seriousness of the defendants’ crimes in opposition to animals. Credit score to our regulation enforcement companions for saving these animals earlier than extra hurt might be performed.”
Chávez, together with the opposite defendants, was sentenced by U.S. District Decide Matthew J. Kacsmaryk after a prolonged record of proof that confirmed corroboration, buy and transport of animals for this ill-gotten playing ring.
He will probably be given an 11-month sentence in federal jail, and the lads will probably be topic to removing to their dwelling nation of Mexico from the US.
Lopez pleaded responsible in July 2025 and was sentenced in October to eight months in federal jail and a $10,000 tremendous, whereas Resendiz additionally pleaded responsible in July and obtained an eight-month sentence.
Pickard concluded, “We have been capable of dismantle the felony group accountable for working this unlawful playing operation, maintain the felony unlawful aliens who ran it accountable, and rescue the animals from sure demise.”
Featured picture: Canva
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