Man Charged with 79 Counts of Cockfighting

An Odenton man faces 79 charges tied to cockfighting after Anne Arundel County authorities seized more than 200 birds from his property.

Ethan Samuel Harmon, 36, of 1248 Patuxent Road in Odenton, is charged with 18 counts of possession with intent to use a gaff to be used on a gamecock, four counts of possession with intent to use a sparring muff on a gamecock, and 67 counts of possession with intent to use a cock for the purpose of fighting another animal (cockfighting), according to the Anne Arundel County Police Department.

In early May, Anne Arundel County Animal Control officials were tipped that Hamon’s property was being used to house and fight roosters, otherwise known as gamecocks.

As a result of the investigation, detectives were able to obtain a search warrant for the suspect and his residence. On Monday, Vice Unit detectives, with assistance from Animal Control and Humane Society of the United States personnel, searched Harmon’s property.

Detectives found more than 200 birds, including gamecocks, hens and chicks, on the property, police say. All were removed by Animal Control. Detectives also located several items of paraphernalia indicative of cockfighting.

Authorities do not believe cockfighting was occurring at Harmon’s property, but that he was breeding birds there to be used in cockfights elsewhere.

»Photo of suspect Ethan Samuel Harmon of Odenton, courtesy of Anne Arundel County Police