Two Texas Cockfighters Arrested in Southeast Oklahoma, in Meaningful Arrests to Halt Malicious Cruelty to Animals

Tulsa, OK — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy applauded federal and local law enforcement in Southern Oklahoma for enforcing laws against illegal possession and transportation of fighting roosters for cockfighting. The interdiction, resulting in the arrest two Texas men — with one apprehension in in Atoka County and the other in Murray County on the Chickasaw National Recreation Area — also resulted in the seizure of 10 fighting roosters. Animal Wellness Action is supporting authorities in helping find temporary sanctuaries for the animals.

“Cockfighting is bound up with other criminal activities, and that is the case with these interdictions in Southern Oklahoma this past week,” commented Kevin Chambers, Oklahoma State Director for Animal Wellness Action. “It is ironic that this week also saw two bills filed at the State Legislature seeking to decriminalize this barbaric and disease-spreading blood sport in Oklahoma.” HB 1313 by State Rep. Justin Humphrey and SB 1111 by Sen. Tom Woods would reduce the penalties for cockfighting. 

A Grand Prairie, Texas man was arrested on Jan. 20 following a traffic stop in Atoka, Oklahoma and officers found four fighting roosters, several pairs of cockfighting gaffs, and blood spots in his van and on the boxes being used to transport the roosters. Khai Hong Nguyen, 51, told officers that he was taking the animals to sell. 

Nguyen was charged with felony Possession of a Training Bird used for fighting. Nguyen has previous convictions in Texas for cockfighting and money laundering and an active warrant for possession of illegal controlled substance. The roosters were confiscated by Animal Control and Nguyen was booked into the Atoka County Jail on felony charges and bond was set at $15,000.

Just two days prior to Nguyen’s arrest, in nearby Murray County, National Park Service rangers with the Chickasaw National Recreation Area arrested J.C. Lewis, Jr. of Newcastle, Texas for speeding and possessing birds for fighting. Six fighting roosters were seized and Animal Wellness Action assisted in locating a sanctuary for the rescued roosters. Bail bond was set at $10,000. A search of Google Maps shows Lewis’ Texas property speckled with huts housing gamefowl. Lewis was also charged with driving while under suspension.

“We thank the Atoka Police, National Park Service rangers and the Murray County Sheriff’s Office for enforcing the rule of law and making arrests of individuals indisputably involved in the barbarism of staged cockfighting,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action. “Cockfighting is a crime of malicious animal cruelty, bound up with illegal gambling, drugs, and violence that tears apart our safe communities. These cases are a reminder that out-of-state cockfighters are traveling to the state for their illegal activities because they don’t think law enforcement is cracking down on the practice. Let’s hope these arrests start to reverse that perception.”

Animal Wellness Action is leading efforts to pass the FIGHT Act in Congress. The FIGHT Act would enhance enforcement of these laws by banning online gambling on animal fights; halting the shipment of mature roosters (chickens only) through the U.S. Postal Service (it is already illegal to ship dogs through the mail); allowing a civil right of action for private citizens against animal fighters after proper notice to federal authorities; and enhancing criminal forfeiture penalties to include real property for those convicted of animal fighting crimes.

That measure is endorsed by 760 organizations, including the National Sheriffs’ Association and the National District Attorneys’ Association.  Animal Wellness Action is also leading an effort to preserve Oklahoma’s strong anti-cockfighting law and to pass complementary laws to crack down on the practice.