More than 50 arrested in dismantling of NJ cockfighting ring

Days after, police in Galloway Township, New Jersey, busted up a cockfighting ring and arrested 51 people, officials have announced charges against the owner of the home where the fights allegedly took place.

The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, announced that Egg Harbor's Jose Madera was being held in county jail pending trial on animal cruelty, drug possession, destruction of evidence and resisting arrest charges.

In a post on social media, Galloway Township police said that, on Saturday, March 9, officers executed a search warrant at a home along the 300 block of South Bremen Avenue, to find "a large number of individuals," along with a constructed cockfighting ring complete with "spectator-style seating" and cockfighting kits.

At that time, a number of suspects were detained, and officials said, 51 people were arrested.

Also, they claimed, about50 roosters, in "various degrees of health" were found locked in crates, storage boxes and bags all around the cockfighting area.

Along with the arrests, officials also seized over $37,000 in cash at the location.

Léelo en español aquí.

At that property, officials also discovered four dogs -- three of which were living in inhumane conditions in an outdoor shed. These animals were also seized from the property and turned over to animal control, officials said.

Police said that Madera was arrested on scene and charged with numerous offenses. As of March 19 it was unclear if he had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.

Police said the following individuals were arrested and charged for being "participants in the cockfighting operation."

• Patricio Acosta, 65, of Philadelphia
• Josue Arroyo, 52, of Vineland, NJ
• Arroyo Blanco, 40, of Perth Amboy, NJ
• Juan Carlo Carrion-Cortes, 46, of Philadelphia
• Guillermo Celada, 63, of Camden, NJ
• Joseph Cubi-Camacho, 26, of Vineland, NJ
• Berdover Diaz, 45, of Hammonton, NJ
• Domingo Duran-Montesino, 41, of Camden, NJ
• Juan Elias Pena-Duran, 33, of Hamilton, NJ
• Luis Fenrnandez-Tavarez, 36, of North Bergen, NJ
• Lolitha Glenn, 51, of Greenwich, NJ
• Jason Gonzalez, 44, of Warminster
• Jimmy Hadden, 50, of Greenwich, NJ
• Rafael Hernandez, 67, of Philadelphia
• Luiggi Jiminez-Diaz, 30, of Trenton, NJ
• Walter Jones, 52, of Vineland, NJ
• Anthony Lugo, 40, of Vineland, NJ
• Stephanie Kanshiro, 33, of Galloway Township, NJ
• Felix Medina, 64, of Trenton, NJ
• Angel Ocasio, 40, of Bridgeton, NJ
• Felipe Perez, 59, of Philadelphia
• Irving Perez, 33, of Pennsauken, NJ
• Juan Perez, 40, of Pennsauken, NJ
• Rudis Perez-Perez, 46, of Perth Amboy, NJ
• Yomery Pichardo-Perez, 30, of Camden, NJ
• Bienvenido Polanco, 60, of Tappan, NY
• Guillermo Polanco, 68, of Egg Harbor Township, NJ
• Peter Rios, 50, of Lumberton, NJ
• Peter Rios Jr., 27, of Blackwood, NJ
• Luis Rivera-Campos, 36, of Camden, NJ
• Alan Rodriguez, 29, of Allentown
• Victor Rodriguez Jr., 51, of Camden, NJ
• Pedro Rodriguez-Santiago, 48, of Philadelphia
• Luis Roman, 62, of Trenton, NJ
• Ramon Rosa Jr., 57, of Hamilton, NJ
• Javier Santos-Gonzales, 32, Pleasantville, NJ
• Jose Quinones Jr., 56, of Warminster
• Rafael Quinones-Serrano, 51, of Bristol
• Juan Solino-Valerio, 37, of Elizabeth, NJ
• Steven Sotnychuk, 55, of Vineland, NJ
• Roberto Soto, 76, of Camden, NJ
• Edwin Tavarez, 33, of Philadelphia
• Kenny Tejada-Torres, 23, of Perth Amboy, NJ
• Miguel Torres, 61, of Columbus, NJ
• Jose Fransisco Torres-Peralta, 45, of Philadelphia
• Jose Valerio, 62, of Perth Amboy, NJ
• Leowis Valerio-Jaquez, 40, of Perth Amboy, NJ
• Daniel Vargas-Baez, 35, of Camden, NJ
• Louis Vazquez, 45, of Landsdale

Officials with the Galloway Township Police Department said anyone wishing to report a crime tip can do so by contacting the department at 609-52-3705.

People can also contact Crime Stoppers of Atlantic County www.crimestoppersatlantic.com at 609-652-1234 or anonymously text your tip to 274637(CRIMES).