Troopers Charge Six With Animal Cruelty After Cockfighting Evidence Found

Photo Credit: Massachusetts State Police. Photo shows some of the boxes in which the chickens and other material was being transported.

Massachusetts State Police arrested six men Sunday morning after stopping a car in Worcester, Mass., and finding evidence, including dead chickens and live ones that later had to be euthanized, that the occupants were involved with cockfighting. 

Trooper Jeremiah Dwyer stopped a Honda Odyssey van for motor vehicle violations about 5 Sunday morning on the eastbound side of Interstate 290 in Worcester. After approaching the van, Trooper Dwyer saw a large pile of loose cash under the driver’s seat. During questioning the driver, later identified as Richard Diaz, 30, of Lawrence, stated he and his five passengers were coming from Queens, N.Y., and going to Lawrence. The front seat passenger, later identified as Yamil A. Maldonado, 28, of Lawrence, stated that he owned the van and gave troopers consent to search it.

Troopers found a large black trash bag in a hidden compartment under the van’s floor. The bag contained what appeared to be several dead, skinned chickens. Four boxes in the rear of the Honda were also located; each contained a live chicken that had been subjected to procedures related to cockfighting, including having their lower bodies shaved and crests on their heads cut off. Also located in the vehicle was additional cash in the glove box, which, combined with the $4,500 cash under the driver’s seat.

Also found was paraphernalia related to cockfighting, including razor blades, nail clippers, imitation spurs, wax and liquid tape used to secure the spurs to the chickens, lighters believed to be used to heat the wax, and a spray bottle with a clear liquid believed to be used to make chickens “slick” prior to fighting.

Troopers arrested all six men and charged them with: 1.) Cruelty to Animals; 2.) Possession of Fighting Animals; and 3.) Conspiracy to Commit a Crime.

• Richard Diaz, 30, 305 Water St. #2, Lawrence, Mass.
• Yamil A. Maldonado, 28, 105 Jackson St., #48, Lawrence, Mass.
• Jose M. Figueroa, 27, 1075 Washington St., Dorchester, Mass.
• Jose M. Vasquez, 34, 119 Bennington St., Lawrence, Mass.
• Helpis S. Rodriguez, 40, 20 Bennington St., Lawrence, Mass.
• Damian Castillo, 34, 71 Bine St., Nashua, N.H.

The six men were bailed and ordered to appear at Worcester District Court for arraignment on Tuesday. Diaz, the driver, was also cited for speeding and committing a marked lanes violation.

The chickens were turned over to Worcester Animal Control, according to authorities. State Police were notified that the chickens had to be euthanized.

Trooper George Demos of the State Police K-9 section, along with his partner Cayman, assisted in the vehicle search, and Trooper Luis Aguirre also assisted in the investigation. He interviewed the van’s occupants in Spanish.

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