Arrest made, property seized at cockfighting event

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A tip from a citizen prompted the Granville County Sheriff’s Office to go undercover, gather information, and obtain warrants to break up a cockfighting event.

Fifteen were arrested in a cockfighting ring bust, but only one had a Granville County connection. The arrests began on Saturday, July 27 and continued until Sunday, July 28 with deputies on scene at 1009 Lawrence Rd. for nearly 27 hours.

In a press release from the Granville County Sheriff’s Office, four detainers from United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were served on four subjects and one detainer from United States Department of Homeland Security has been served for a total of five federal detainers.

Granville County Sheriff Robert Fountain Jr said four individuals were from Mexico and one from Cuba. The individual from Cuba had previously been charged with cockfighting and had been deported.

Fountain said this could be part of a larger operation on the east coast and could have ties to drug cartels.

The sheriff’s office seized multiple trailers and vehicles used to transport the birds. Fountain said that many of the vehicles and trailers could cost up to $100,000 dollars. He also said five guns were seized, some drugs along with evidence that brings the investigation back to cartel ties.

Sharon Kay Miller, 68, of Wake Forest (Granville County), was arrested  on July 27 for cockfighting and gambling and placed under a $25,000 bond. Miller made bond and was released July 28.

According to Fountain, Miller’s mother, who is bedridden and in her 80’s, is listed as the owner of the property where the cockfighting event was held at 1009 Lawrence Rd.

Others arrested in the bust were:

July 28, Jose Garcia, 45, of Morehead City, was arrested for cockfighting and placed under a $25,000 bond. He was also charged with gambling.

July 27, Juan Perez Hernandez, 22, of Greenville, NC was arrested for cockfighting and gambling and placed under a $25,000 bond. Hernandez made bond and was released July 28.

July 27, Miguel Angel Perez-Vazquez, 21, of Raleigh, was arrested for cockfighting and gambling and placed under a $25,000 bond.

July 27, Manuel R. Mejorado, 51, of Las Vegas, NV, was arrested for cockfighting and gambling and placed under a $50,000 bond.

July 27, Noe Jaimes Antunez, 54, of Wendell, was arrested for cockfighting and gambling and placed under a $25,000 bond. Antunez made bond and was released July 28.

July 27, Raphael Hernandez, 26, of Lilburn, GA, was arrested for cockfighting and gambling and placed under a $25,000 bond. Raphael Hernandez made bond and was released July 28.

July 27, Khanh Lee, 54, of Raleigh, was arrested for cockfighting and gambling and placed under a $25,000 bond. Lee made bond and was released July 28.

July 27, Ricardo Jimenez Garcia, 34, of Fremont, NC was arrested for cockfighting and gambling and placed under a $25,000 bond. Ricardo Jimenez Garcia made bond and was released July 28.

July 27, Hector Martinez Paredes, 50, of Dudley, NC was arrested for cockfighting and gambling and placed under a $25,000 bond. Paredes made bond and was released July 28.

July 27, Roberto Soria Castaneda, 40, of Wendell, NC was arrested for cockfighting and gambling and placed under a $25,000 bond. Castaneda made bond and was released July 28.

July 27, Alexis Ramirez Perez, 23, of Raleigh was arrested for cockfighting and gambling and placed under a $25,000 bond. Perez was also charged with possession with intent to sell, distribute marijuana with $10,000 bond, possession marijuana paraphernalia and resisting public officer.  Perez made bond and was released July 29.

July 27, Gregario Sanchez, 35, of Raleigh was arrested for cockfighting and gambling and placed under a $25,000 bond. Sanchez made bond and was released July 28.

July 27, Arturo Garcia, 64, of Wake Forest was arrested for cockfighting and gambling and placed under a $25,000 bond. Arturo Garcia made bond and was released July 28.

July 27, Pedro Lopez, 64, of Mount Olive was arrested for cockfighting and gambling and placed under a $25,000 bond. Lopez made bond and was released July 28.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is released.

All mug shots were provided by GCSO and Granville County Public Information Office.

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