Robeson County cockfighting bust nets 12 arrests
A Robeson County raid Saturday led to the arrests of a dozen men after investigators found evidence of cockfighting on a property near Ashpole Swamp, according to the sheriff's office.
Posted — UpdatedRobeson sheriff's deputies worked with the Humane Society of the United States, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, North Carolina Highway Patrol, State Bureau of Investigation, Lumberton Police Department SWAT and Bladen County Sheriff's Office SWAT to execute a search warrant at the property, about 8 miles south of Fairmont.
Seventeen chickens were seized; three were injured and three were dead, authorities said.
Authorities also seized money, weapons, vehicles – including one that was reported stolen in 2009 – and drug paraphernalia.
The following men have been charged:
- Troy Jack Collins, 73, of Fairmont, faces one count of cockfighting, one count of cruelty to animals and one count of carrying a concealed weapon;
- Troy Legrand Collins, 44, of Fairmont, faces one count of cockfighting and one count of cruelty to animals;
- Craig Caulder, 42, of Fairmont, faces one count of cockfighting and one count of cruelty to animals;
- Terry Russel Locklear, 40, of Dillon, S.C., faces one count of cockfighting, one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and one count of cruelty to animals;
- Timothy Kevin Bryant, 45, of Dillon, S.C., faces one count of cockfighting and one count of cruelty to animals;
- Dennis Graham Simmons, 25, of Fairmont, faces one count of cockfighting and one count of cruelty to animals;
- Tommy Bass, 62, of Lakeview, S.C., faces one count of cockfighting and one count of cruelty to animals;
- Hubert N. Kissam, 51, of Fairmont, faces one count of cockfighting and one count of cruelty to animals;
- James Maurice Thompson, 50, of Fairmont, faces one count of cockfighting and one count of cruelty to animals;
- Nicholas Limon Martinez, 27, of Dillon, S.C., faces one count of cockfighting, one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and one count of cruelty to animals;
- Austin Michael Hamilton, 41, of Dillon, S.C., faces one count of cockfighting, one count of cruelty to animals and one count of carrying a concealed weapon; and
- Tracey Meares, 38, of Dillon, S.C., faces one count of cockfighting and one count of cruelty to animals.
Cockfighting is a felony in North Carolina.
All 12 men were being held under a $5,000 secured bond.
The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are possible, authorities said.
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