Cockfighting, Torture Investigation Leads To 400 Gamefowl Recovered, 2 Arrests: Kendall Sheriff

KENDALL COUNTY, IL — A man and a woman from Na-Au-Say Township are facing a plethora of felonies in a cockfighting investigation that led to more than 400 gamefowl being recovered, according to the Kendall County Sheriff's Office.

Detectives began investigating a suspicion of violations of the Animals in Entertainment Act on May 10, the day 51-year-old Jose Miguel Alicea-Reyes was pulled over for a traffic stop and admitted to owning the six roosters and cockfighting paraphernalia he was hauling, Patch reported.

The office executed a search warrant May 21 in the 1100 block of Route 126 in Na-Au-Say Township and recovered a total of 424 gamefowl or chickens, plus other evidence, according to a news release.

The Kendall County Animal Control and Kendall County Emergency Management Agency helped remove the birds. The gamefowl were evaluated and transferred to "reputable rescue organizations where possible," officials said, while others that were deemed unsafe and aggressive or had medical issues were euthanized.

RELATED: 6 Roosters Used For Cockfights, Plainfield Man Charged: Report

Alicea-Reyes and the 56-year-old Lydia Ramirez, both of the 1100 block of Route 126, have each been charged with the following:

• 10 felony counts of violations of the Animals in Entertainment Act (owning animal for sport fighting)
• 10 felony counts of violations of the Animals in Entertainment Act (training animal for sport fighting)
• 1 felony count of violation of the Animals in Entertainment Act (breeding animal for sport fighting)
• 2 misdemeanor counts of possession of ammo without a FOID
• 2 misdemeanor counts of possession of a firearm without a FOID

On July 8, each was charged with these additional offenses:

• 10 felony counts of animal torture
• 1 felony count of violation of the Animals in Entertainment Act (owning equipment for sport fighting)
• 1 felony count of violation of the Animals in Entertainment Act (possessing equipment for sport fighting)

Ramirez was taken into custody on May 21 and released two days later under pre-trial conditions, but investigators continue searching for Alicea-Reyes. Detectives said he may be using the name Manuel Ramirez instead.

Officials are asking anyone with information related to the investigation or the man's whereabouts to contact the sheriff's office at 630-553-5856 or detectives@kendallcountyil.gov. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 630-553-5999.

In another arrest, an Oswego Township man and woman were arrested last week and accused of breeding chickens for sport fighting.