Contact Information: Contact: Demetra Canning 310-271-6096 x 27 campaigns@LCAnimal.org
Ex-Sheriff Pleads Guilty in Federal Cockfighting Case
| Source: Last Chance for Animals
STANLEY, VA--(Marketwire - September 3, 2009) - Last Chance for Animals' (LCA) exclusive
undercover investigation of the Little Boxwood Cockfighting Pit in Stanley,
VA, provided the FBI with crucial information which led to ex-sheriff
Daniel W. Presgraves' guilty plea to racketeering. Presgraves was alleged
to have taken bribes in exchange for his silence of the cockfighting pit.
By pleading guilty, Presgraves avoids going to trial on 21 federal
racketeering counts, which include: money laundering, mail fraud,
cockfighting-related conspiracy, and violating the civil rights of female
subordinates. U.S. District Judge Glen E. Conrad has not yet accepted the
plea agreement, but agreed to "take it under advisement."
LCA's Special Investigative Unit (SIU) met with the USDA, FBI and the
Assistant U.S. Attorney in Roanoke, VA, and turned over all their pertinent
information on Little Boxwood. As a result of this investigation, the
Animal Fighting Venture Prohibition law (U.S. Code-Title 7, Chapter 54,
Section 2156) was used for the first time in U.S. history.
Pictures of dead chickens, a cockpit, and fight schedules were among the
evidence found at the Boxwood Pit, as well as a photo of a "Sheriff's
Association Cockfighting Handout."
In 2007, LCA's SIU's undercover investigation was responsible for one of
the largest cockfighting busts in U.S. history. LCA's SIU provided the
necessary information to the authorities, which led to a raid on a popular
cockfighting arena near Van Buren, AR and 76 felony arrests.
"We want to thank Tom Bondurant of the Western District of VA U.S.
Attorney's office, the Winchester resident agency of the FBI, the USDA OIG
office in Beltsville, MD, the IRS, and the state police who helped with the
raid," says Chris DeRose, President and founder of LCA. "This is a notice
to all public officials in the U.S. who turn a blind eye on animal
fighting."
Last Chance for Animals (LCA), a national animal rights organization based
in Los Angeles, has been active for more than two decades. Founded and led
by animal expert, author, and actor, Chris DeRose, LCA's roots began in
exposing the inherent cruelty of vivisection. LCA fights for the rights of
animals by conducting investigations that expose animal cruelty, launching
public awareness campaigns, pushing animal friendly legislation and helping
prosecute animal abusers. For more information, visit www.LCAnimal.org