Owner of property where cockfighting occurred sentenced
8/30/2014WAUSEON — The owner of a Fulton County property where sheriff’s deputies raided a cockfighting ring in May was sentenced Thursday.
Candelario Nieto Castillo of 9786 County Road N in Royalton Township pleaded no contest and was found guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor charge of operating a gambling house. A second-degree misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty and a fourth-degree misdemeanor charge of animal fighting were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
On May 4, Fulton County sheriff’s deputies seized 72 live roosters and cited 52 individuals, only nine of whom were Ohio residents. Seventeen more were from Michigan, and 26 were Indiana residents. Most of the individuals pleaded no contest at arraignment and were found guilty of aiding and abetting animal fighting, a fourth-degree misdemeanor.
Mr. Nieto Castillo was ordered to pay a $500 fine plus court costs and restitution of $516. He also must serve 20 days in work release and one year of probation. He must complete 30 hours of community service within six months and is prohibited from owning roosters or cockfighting paraphernalia for five years.