Grand Bay Cockfighting 10 Arrested in Stadium: In Grand Bay, Alabama, an extensive cockfighting operation with stadium seating and concessions was dismantled, leading to the arrest of ten individuals. The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, acting on a confidential tip, uncovered the operation, with Darrel Zemon Jackson’s property identified as the venue for the illicit activities.
Jackson, along with the other nine arrested individuals, faced legal consequences after sheriff’s deputies traced the operation back to the property last summer. Recently, Jackson, aged 64, pleaded guilty to cruelty to animals, admitting to earning $200 for each cockfighting event hosted on his premises.
Despite the guilty plea, Jackson’s attorney refuted claims of his client’s involvement in gambling and clarified that he did not receive a percentage of bets placed on the fighting roosters. The sheriff’s office revealed that the operation featured stadium-style seating and offered concessions such as hot dogs and chicken fingers. Authorities suspect that the ring extended its operations to Louisiana and Mississippi.
The dismantling of the operation resulted in the rescue of more than 60 roosters, which were subsequently taken to animal control for rehoming. While some defendants had cockfighting charges dropped due to insufficient evidence, others pleaded guilty to misdemeanor gambling charges.
Nine individuals had previously pleaded guilty in August, receiving $50 fines. The legal actions underline the authorities’ commitment to combating illegal animal-related activities and associated offenses.
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