Cockfighting Pit Discovered During Drug Investigation; Owner Arrested

Date Added: April 17, 2019 4:10 pm

Andrew Gant
Office of Public Affairs & Media Relations

Note: Photos and the charging affidavit are available for download at: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1d0f1oqHwMkbKiVWapnKje4iy5Xb97Cuq

COCKFIGHTING PIT DISCOVERED DURING DRUG INVESTIGATION; OWNER ARRESTED

Volusia County sheriff’s detectives executing a narcotics search warrant early Wednesday at a house in Orange City discovered a breeding and training ground used for cockfighting.

The West Volusia Narcotics Task Force executed the search warrant around 6 a.m. Wednesday at 1370 Park Ave., Orange City, as part of an active narcotics investigation. But they also found a chicken coop on the property with a pit used for training and conditioning chickens for fighting.

The defendant, 47-year-old Jose Rodriguez-Quinones (DOB 6/27/1971), was charged with animal fighting (bond: $10,000), possession of an animal fighting pen and paraphernalia (bond: $10,000), owning property to manage and operate animal fighting (bond: $10,000), possession of cannabis oil with intent to sell (bond: $10,000), possession of a weapon by convicted felon (bond: $25,000), possession of ammunition by convicted felon (bond: $10,000), possession of cannabis (bond: $500) and possession of drug paraphernalia (bond: $500), for a total bond of $76,000.

There were 26 live chickens on the property and two others found deceased in a fire pit and a trash can. The live chickens were taken into the custody of Volusia County Animal Control and are being housed and cared for.

Deputies also seized a rifle, ammunition, marijuana and cannabis oil, cash and drug paraphernalia. Rodriguez-Quinones stated he used the rifle to kill raccoons and other animals that attacked his chickens.

Rodriguez-Quinones’ criminal history includes convictions for armed trafficking of cocaine, arson and illegal entry of an alien.