80 Chickens Seized In Cockfighting Investigation: Sheriff

STAFFORD, VA — Eighty game birds were seized as part of an investigation into an illegal cockfighting ring, the Stafford County Sheriff’s office said.

On Nov. 7, deputies executed a search warrant at a home on Norman Road. Although the warrant was part of an investigation into an earlier stolen property report, investigators learned the residence was used to host cockfighting events, according to a post on the sheriff office’s Facebook page.

During the original visit, deputies noticed a large number of chickens being kept on the property, the department said.

As part of the cockfighting investigation, deputies executed a second search warrant on Wednesday at the Norman Road property, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies collected 80 game fowl chickens that were being kept there. They also found controlled substances, equipment, and weapons directly related to cockfighting.

Following a seizure hearing on Wednesday, custody of the 80 birds was granted to Stafford County Animal Control, according to the sheriff’s office.

After the hearing, deputies took 47-year-old Sergio Munoz into custody, charging him with five counts of felony animal fighting, according to the sheriff’s office. He was taken to the Rappahannock Regional Jail, where he was held on a $1,000 secured bond.

Munoz was not the subject of the original search warrant.

“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. The Stafford County Animal Shelter is currently exploring long-term solutions for their future,” according to a post on a social media post.