LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Three people were arrested following the execution of two search warrants at separate locations in Pahrump involving an alleged cockfighting operation, the Nye County Sheriff’s Office said.
The operation involved breeding and training birds for illegal fighting activities, according to the sheriff’s office.
The large-scale operation involved multiple agencies and divisions, including Homeland Security Investigations, United States Department of Agriculture, Nye County Animal Control, NCSO SWAT, NCSO PSU Detectives, NCSO GA Detectives, NCSO Patrol and the Sheriff’s Auxiliary Unit.
Arrests and charges
Jorge Guzman Torres, who is in the United States on a permanent resident card, is being charged with 56 felony counts of owning a bird for the purpose of cockfighting, 56 felony counts of animal abuse, two felony counts of operating a residence for the purpose of cockfighting, one gross misdemeanor count of conspiracy to operate a residence for the purpose of cockfighting, 63 gross misdemeanor counts of possession of a gaff and nine felony counts of possession of personal identifying information to establish a false identity or status.
Grisel Juarez Diaz, whose immigration status is pending, is being charged with 29 felony counts of owning a bird for the purpose of cockfighting, one felony count of maintaining a residence for the purpose of cockfighting, one gross misdemeanor count of conspiracy to operate a residence for the purpose of cockfighting, 29 felony counts of animal abuse and 63 gross misdemeanor counts of possession of a gaff.
Ignacio Juarez Gomez, who is undocumented, is being charged with one felony count of operating a premises for the purpose of cockfighting, one felony count of owning a bird for the purpose of cockfighting, one gross misdemeanor count of conspiracy to operate a residence for the purpose of cockfighting, 20 gross misdemeanor counts of possession of a gaff and one felony count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
A gaff is a curved round metal spike that tapers to a needle-sharp point, resembling a miniature ice pick.
Items seized during the execution of the warrants included cockfighting implements, 11 firearms, 478 birds and more than $60,000 in cash.
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