Dead roosters seized in alleged cockfighting operation

VAN BUREN COUNTY, Mich. – The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 32-year-old man for cockfighting and receiving and concealing stolen property Sunday evening.

Deputies received a tip that there was cockfighting going on at a property on 48th Avenue in Lawrence Township.

Deputies went to the home and the owner showed deputies roosters and hens he raised.

While being shown the roosters, deputies noticed blood and feathers in the dirt of the pole barn, according to reports.

Deputies say they also found a stolen quad runner in the pole barn.

After getting a search warrant, deputies say they found a large amount of cash, an area used for cockfighting, 18 dead roosters, the quad runner, a stolen mini bike, paraphernalia and paperwork related to cockfighting and some possibly stolen tools.

Bobby Johnson, 32, was arrested and charged with 3 counts of animal fighting, 2 counts of receiving and concealing stolen property over $1,000 but less than $20,000 and one count of receiving and concealing stolen property more than $200, but less than $1,000.

Johnson was arraigned in court and has a $20,000 cash bond.

A pretrial date was set for March 12.