18 arrested at Fairhope cockfight (WALA-AL)

18 arrested at Fairhope cockfight

Updated: Monday, 08 Aug 2011, 10:16 PM CDT
Published : Monday, 08 Aug 2011, 4:09 PM CDT

* John Rogers
* Photojournalist: Franz Barraza

FAIRHOPE, Ala. (WALA) - Fairhope Police broke up a cockfighting ring in their city Sunday, arresting 18 people. Twelve of them were illegal aliens.

Police said it was an elaborate operation. It was well-managed, complete with admission prices and alcohol sales. Police were unsure of how long it had been going on, but they found rooster ramains throughout the property.

Fairhope officers discovered the operation along Red Barn Road. During a raid on Sunday afternoon, they found dead roosters waiting to be buried. One lay next to a tree, another in a hole and a third still in its cage.

The birds were trained killers, complete with sharp spurs attached to their feet.

SGT Craig Sawyer with Fairhope police said, “We do know that the persons who were putting on the event were charging admission. We do know they were selling alcohol to the participants."

The event was hidden in the middle of the woods in a rural area of Fairhope, and the 18 that were arrested face a wide range of charges.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement will work to correctly identify the 12 illegal aliens. In the meantime, all 18 suspects are being held at the Fairhope jail and police said 20 birds are now in animal control custody.

"I think there's something lacking - heartless people - something lacking in their psychological balance that makes them want to do anything to injure an animal,” said Fairhope resident Stephanie Reeves.

According to police, cockfighting is actually a misdemeanor. There are felony animal cruelty laws, but they apply to larger animals like dogs.

Those arrested face other charges for alcohol and business violations, so police said they all face jail time.

"[Fairhope] is a utopia, but we do have some folks that are sort of creative. But everywhere you go you'll have people trying to break the law, but there's nothing you can do about it. You just try to catch them," said Reeves.

Several juveniles were also present at the cockfights. Because they were so young, ages 10 to 14, they were not charged and were released to other family members.

The following is a list of those arrested:

1. Lisa Stuart, age 49, of Fairhope, charged with promoting gambling (13A-12-22, Code of Alabama), cockfighting (13A-12-4), and cruelty to animals (13A-11-14).
2. Salvador Fabian-Guerrero, age 20, of Foley, charged with conspiracy to promote gambling (13A-12-23), cockfighting, and cruelty to animals.
3. Jose Davida-Rodriguez, age 42, of Fairhope, charged with promoting gambling, cockfighting, and cruelty to animals.
4. Rogelio Lemus-Fabian, age 35, of Summerdale, charged with conspiracy to promote gambling, cockfighting, and cruelty to animals.
5. Salvador Fabian, age 25, of Foley, charged with conspiracy to promote gambling, cockfighting, and cruelty to animals.
6. Juan Fabian, age 67, unknown address, charged with conspiracy to promote gambling, cockfighting, and cruelty to animals.
7. Ancelmo Lemus-Huerta, age 55, of Foley, charged with conspiracy to promote gambling, cockfighting, and cruelty to animals.
8. Pedro Lemus, age 38, of Foley, charged with conspiracy to promote gambling, cockfighting, and cruelty to animals.
9. Santiago Enriquez-Guardian, age 38, of Foley, charged with conspiracy to promote gambling, cockfighting, and cruelty to animals.
10. Melchon Lemus, age 26, of Foley, charged with conspiracy to promote gambling, cockfighting, and cruelty to animals.
11. David Enriques Acuapa, age 33, of Silverhill, charged with conspiracy to promote gambling, cockfighting, and cruelty to animals.
12. Reyes Fabian, age 39, of Fairhope, charged with conspiracy to promote gambling, cockfighting, and cruelty to animals.
13. Francisco Mendoza-Estrada, age 24, of Summerdale, charged with conspiracy to promote gambling, cockfighting, and cruelty to animals.
14. Ramon Jose Chavez, age 27, of Summerdale, charged with conspiracy to promote gambling, cockfighting, and cruelty to animals.
15. Roman Tobon, age 40, of Elberta, charged with conspiracy to promote gambling, cockfighting, and cruelty to animals.
16. Adrian Enriquez, age 40, of Silverhill, charged with conspiracy to promote gambling, cockfighting, and cruelty to animals.
17. Sabastian Leyva Rangel, age 23, of Summerdale, charged with conspiracy to promote gambling, cockfighting, and cruelty to animals.
18. Roberto Caballero, age 42, of Summerdale, charged with conspiracy to promote gambling, cockfighting, and cruelty to animals.