A Massachusetts man was sentenced in federal court in Rhode Island for his role in a 2022 cockfighting operation. Jose Rivera, 70, received two years of probation, a $200 fine, and a $100 special assessment. Rivera pleaded guilty to violating the Animal Welfare Act, admitting he transported gaffs from Massachusetts to Rhode Island for use in cockfights. He acknowledged awareness that the events were for sport, wagering, and entertainment. The case involved multiple federal and state agencies, including the USDA’s Office of Inspector General and the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Prosecution was handled by the Energy and Natural Resources Division and the Rhode Island U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
Materials reproduced from https://www.justice.gov/.
No endorsement by the DOJ is implied.
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