FRESNO -  Horacio Ortega-Martinez, 36, a citizen of Mexico residing in Bakersfield, was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for possessing roosters to use them in an animal fighting venture, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. In addition, the forfeiture of the fighting roosters and 49 breeding hens was ordered. On Nov. 10, 2022, Ortega pleaded guilty to an Animal Welfare Act crime involving the possession of 250 roosters for use in an animal fighting venture.

According to court documents, law enforcement agents became aware of Ortega’s involvement in breeding, fighting, and selling roosters in January 2022 through recorded conversations obtained from a court-authorized wiretap of a phone used by Jorge Calderon-Campos, 42, of Bakersfield. Ortega and Calderon had various telephone conversations about buying, selling, and fighting roosters.

On April 26, 2022, a search warrant was served at Ortega’s property, where agents found approximately 250 fighting roosters, approximately 250 “gaffs” (razor-sharp steel blades that are tied to the birds’ legs), mitts commonly used for training, and fighting roosters, and miscellaneous antibiotics, vitamins, and supplements that are commonly used for breeding and training roosters for fighting.

Calderon has been charged with various drug trafficking offenses and animal fighting venture crimes in two separate indictments. The charges against him are only allegations; he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.