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Members of the Stafford County Sheriff's Office were tipped off last week about a home in the area that was hosting cockfighting events, the same home that was related to a previous stolen property report.
At approximately 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7, deputies responded to a home on Norman Road, where they found several large chickens in the area, leading to them obtain a second warrant in connection to the alleged illegal cockfights.
During the second search, 80 game fowl chickens were collected pending a seizure hearing, as well as controlled substances, equipment, and weapons directly related to cockfighting.
On Wednesday, Nov. 13, the seizure hearing was conducted, Animal Control was granted custody of all the chickens, and Stafford resident Sergio Munoz, 47, was arrested once the judgement was made.
Munoz - who was not the subject of the initial search warrant on the stolen property report - was taken into custody following the hearing and charged with five counts of felony animal fighting. He was held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $1,000 secured bond.
All 80 chickens are currently being housed and cared for at the Stafford County Animal Shelter and are scheduled to be seen by a vet. They are now working to determine a long-term plan for the animals.
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