New Cockfighting Ring Arrests Made By Plumstead Police

PLUMSTEAD TOWNSHIP, PA — A Plumstead Township couple is facing numerous felony charges for their part in a cockfighting ring that was broken up by police on Feb. 21.

Manfid and Mara Duran have been charged with 46 counts each of animal neglect and 46 counts each of owning, processing, and selling animals for fighting.

On March 7, Mara Guadalupe Duran voluntarily turned herself in without incident and was processed. She was arraigned by Judge Frank W. Peranteau Sr. with unsecured bail of $100,000. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 18 before Judge Frank W. Peranteau Sr.

Manfid Duran and Mara Guadalupe Duran of Plumstead Township. (Plumstead Township Police)

On March 3, officers arrested Manfid Duran, 49, during a traffic stop on Swamp Road. He was taken into custody on a warrant out of Plumstead in connection with the cockfighting ring.

At the traffic stop, Manfid Duran was also charged with driving with a suspended license and having no valid insurance or registration on his vehicle.

He was processed, arraigned, and transported to the Bucks County Correctional Facility on $750,000 bail. His preliminary arraignment is scheduled for March 11 before Magisterial District Judge Gary Gambardella.

On Feb. 21, the Plumstead Township Police Department broke up an active cockfight at a township property and arrested a man on felony animal cruelty charges. Police received an anonymous tip and arrived to find two roosters fighting in a ring built inside a two-car garage.

When police arrived, a crowd of about 25 people fled the scene except for Cesar Cordova-Morales, of Oxford, who was detained by police.

Some of the birds that were rescued by the Bucks County SPCA.

Cordova-Morales was carrying a satchel containing several bottles of steroids, cutting instruments, string, artificial metal spurs, spur covers, and other items commonly used in cockfighting, authorities said.

He was charged with attending the cockfight and possessing animal fighting paraphernalia. He was arraigned by Judge Michael Petrucci and is being held on $50,000 bail at the Bucks County Correctional Facility.

Police immediately notified the Bucks County SPCA, which responded to the scene.

“Our team arrived to find two bloodied roosters who were loose and injured from their recent fighting,” reported SPCA officials. “There were 44 additional roosters, hens, and pullets kept in cages and small boxes in and around the garage, and two more who were recovered from a locked
vehicle in the driveway. Sadly, four recently deceased roosters were found in a barrel behind the garage.”

The SPCA also reported that the caged animals had no food, inadequate shelter, and frozen water bowls.

“Many of the roosters had had their combs and wattles cut off, a common practice with birds used for fighting,” the SPCA reported. “Other roosters were found to have injuries and deep puncture wounds, likely the result of fighting.”

An investigation of the property turned up razor-sharp metal blades (spurs) that are tied to the rooster’s legs to inflict maximum harm on their opponents, the SPCA reported.

Cockfighting is illegal in all 50 states and is a third-degree felony offense in Pennsylvania. It is also a federal offense to transport animals across state lines for the purpose of fighting.

“Those who seek to profit off animal fighting – as well as those who gamble on or attend such activities – are guilty of felony-level animal cruelty as well,” said the SPCA.

“It is hard to believe that people can be so cruel as to raise and fight animals to the death for amusement and personal gain,” said BCSPCA executive director Linda Reider. “We will remain tireless in our efforts to bring those responsible to justice while we care for these injured
and abused animals.”

According to Reider, the team relocated all 49 animals to safety by early that evening. “The shelter will continue to house and care for these birds throughout the duration of this ongoing investigation,” she said.

According to Reider, the team relocated all 49 animals to safety by early Sunday evening. “The shelter will continue to house and care for these birds throughout the duration of this ongoing investigation,” she said.