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Ashland County Resident Found Guilty in Cockfighting Case

Posted by HM IT on March 21, 2017   |   Comments Off on Ashland County Resident Found Guilty in Cockfighting Case

State v. Benny Craft, a case we prosecuted which was investigated by the Ashland County Sheriff and the Ohio Department of Agriculture, with assistance from the Humane Society of Ashland County Ohio

Craft was found guilty after a jury trial of cockfighting, two counts of animal cruelty and one count of possession of criminal tools. Craft was found not guilty of 3 counts of criminal tools and 4 counts of cruelty.

Craft was sentenced to a total of 90 days in jail, $350 in fines, courts costs, forfeiture of the roosters seized and items found to be criminal tools. He was ordered to pay $1,070 restitution for veterinary and other care provided to the animals. Jail is suspended on condition that he successfully complete one year probation. During probation he may not possess chickens or other poultry, and he is subject to inspections.

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Conviction for possession of cockfighting birds and equipment

Posted by J. Jeffrey Holland on February 19, 2015   |   Comments Off on Conviction for possession of cockfighting birds and equipment

State v. Filimon Medina, a case we prosecuted for the Medina County SPCA. This is one of the roosters removed from Mr. Medina’s property. It is common practice among cockfighters to remove the combs and wattles of fighting birds so the animals will not bleed excessively in battle, thus weakening them and possibly interfering with their ability to see.

While Mr. Medina was not caught in the act of cockfighting, he was charged and convicted in the Medina Municipal Court of two counts of possession of criminal tools for possessing altered roosters, sparring muffs, various drugs and veterinary supplies commonly used in cockfighting, keep pens, tie out ropes and shipping boxes.

Ironically, possession of criminal tools is a 1st degree misdemeanor, while cockfighting is only a misdemeanor of the 4th degree in Ohio. Mr. Medina forfeited all seized birds, will pay a $400 fine plus costs, and may serve 90 days in jail if he violates the terms of his probation, which includes a prohibition against possessing altered birds and random inspections.

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Man convicted of possession of cockfighting birds, tools

Posted by J. Jeffrey Holland on November 19, 2014   |   Comments Off on Man convicted of possession of cockfighting birds, tools

State v. Filimon Medina, a case we prosecuted for the Medina County SPCA.

Defendant was found guilty of two first degree misdemeanor charges for possession of criminal tools. The “criminal tools” were 29 roosters with their combs and waddles surgically removed, medications, vitamins, rooster boxing muffs and other items linking Mr. Medina to cockfighting. 

Defendant faces up to 180 days in jail for each count. Sentencing will be set before Judge Dale Chase for another date.

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