Man who ran NJ cockfighting ring sentenced to decade in prison

GREENWICH, N.J. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — A New Jersey man who was running a cockfighting gambling ring in 2021 received a 10-year sentence on Monday, authorities announced.

Additionally, Jimmy Hadden, 50, received a concurrent five-year sentence according to the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office.

Officials arrested Hadden in 2021 after they began investigating the cockfighting ring.

During the investigation, they discovered that Hadden also sold methamphetamine to an undercover officer, prosecutors said.

Officials later seized a pound of methamphetamine and approximately $180,000 during a search of his Greenwich home.

Hadden pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in May.

As part of his sentence, Hadden also forfeited the cash seized as well as his 2007 Chevy Tahoe.

Hadden's father, Jaime Ferrer, was also charged and indicted in the case for running the illegal gambling ring together.

Ferrer died when his criminal case was still pending.