Hockley County Sheriff’s Office personnel, with the assistance of numerous law enforcement agencies from the area, executed a search warrant on a property in the 100 block of America Road, Levelland, related to suspected illegal rooster fighting activities.
In July 2017, investigators received credible information related to possible cockfighting and gambling activities at a location north of Levelland. The Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation with the cooperation of the 286th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
On July 28, 2017, a multi-agency operation was conducted involving a search warrant for the property. When officers arrived at the location, the alleged illegal activities were ongoing. Approximately 45 individuals were detained by officers while the property was being searched for evidence. The following agencies participated in the warrant:
Hockley County Sheriff’s Office
Levelland Police Department
286th Judicial District Attorney’s Office
Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office
Cochran County Sheriff’s Office
Plainview Police Department
United States Border Patrol
Hockley County Emergency Management
Levelland EMS
During the operation, two individuals, identified as Eulogio Guerrero, Jr. of Levelland, and Kenny Grubbs
of Portales, NM, were arrested for the felony offense of Cockfighting. Individuals were identified as having traveled from areas such as Morton, Petersburg, Wolfforth, Post, Littlefield, Muleshoe, Hart, and Dumas to participate in the activities. A recap of the operation outcome is as follows:
37 citations
2 felony arrests
1 misdemeanor arrest
5 Immigration detainers
107 birds seized
5 deceased birds located
Hockley County Sheriff Ray Scifres commented, “Many people worked long hours investigating and planning this operation. We are grateful for the assistance and expertise of our partner agencies. We are committed to vigorously investigating all types of illegal activities within our county and will work to pursue justice.”
Hearings will be scheduled at the nearest available time in the justice court to determine a final disposition on all of the birds. The matter remains under investigation. Additional charges may be filed at a later time as the investigation continues.
(Press release from Hockley County Sheriff)
