2nd Man Arrested In Investigation Into Cockfighting Ring

CLEARWATER, FL — The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office has charged a second man in connection with a cockfighting ring being operated out of a home in unincorporated Clearwater.

On Tuesday afternoon, the sheriff's office arrested Yendys Rosmel Ortega, 28, of 15419 Verona Ave. in unincorporated Clearwater and charged him with one count of fighting or baiting animals and one count of felony cruelty to animals after he turned himself into the sheriff's office.

Through their investigation, detectives identified Ortega as the owner of the home where the rooster fighting occurred. Ortega and his father, Juan Gilberto Ortega, 49, raised the 11 roosters removed from the home on Jan. 17.

Yendys Ortega did not make any statements to detectives Tuesday and was booked into the Pinellas County Jail without incident.

Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies were called to the Verona Avenue home on Jan. 17 to assist Pinellas County Animal Services with a complaint concerning a cockfighting ring.

From the road, deputies said they were able to see several roosters, a fighting ring and multiple cages.

Deputies asked Juan Gilberto Ortega for permission to inspect his property, but he refused so the sheriff's office obtained a search warrant from the State Attorney's Office.

With the help of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Suncoast, 11 roosters were seized. All 11 roosters showed signs of being involved in fighting with cropped combs, feathers removed from their breasts and injuries to their combs and waddles. Deputies also confiscated a whip, training devices, clippers and syringes.

Additionally, deputies discovered a marijuana operation in a detached garage on the property and collected 20 marijuana plants.

Juan Ortega was arrested at that time and charged with one count of fighting or baiting animals and one count of felony cruelty to animals