Providence Man Pleads Guilty For Role In Cockfighting Ring

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Providence man admitted in federal court Tuesday to owning roosters for the purposes of having them participate in cockfighting.

Onil Vasquez Lozada, 39, pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing, sponsoring, and exhibiting bids in an animal fighting venture.

Prosecutors said Lozada admitted that on April 27, 2021, he possessed roosters for the purpose of having them fight, in violation of the Animal Welfare Act. Lozada also admitted that on March 6, 2022, he sponsored and exhibited at least one rooster in a fight against another rooster.

Cockfighting is a contest where a person attaches a knife, gaff or other sharp instrument to the leg of a rooster and then places the bird a few inches away from a similarly armed rooster. This results in a fight, during which the roosters flap their wings and jump while stabbing each other with the weapons that are fastened to their legs. A cockfight ends when one rooster is dead or refuses to continue to fight. Commonly, one or both roosters die after a fight.

Lozada faces up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 for each charge. He will be sentenced at a later date.

Related: 6 Men From RI, MA Charged In Providence Cockfighting Ring.

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