73 arrested in cockfighting ring
Sunday, February 1
( updated 7:53 pm)

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RAMSEUR - The Randolph County Sheriff's Department arrested 73 people in connection with a cockfighting ring in the Coleridge community Saturday afternoon.

Capt. Johnny Hussey said that officers raided three chicken houses at 5254 Riverside Drive, owned by Lewis Ritter , at 1 p.m. The officers were at the scene until 3 a.m. Sunday.

Ritter's son, Brian Ritter , 25 , was charged with maintaining a dwelling for cockfighting, a felony. Other charges may follow pending an investigation.

The other individuals face felonies related to the cockfighting.

Hussey said immigration officials are involved and several of the participants, mostly Hispanic, may be deported.

Hussey said that participants parked their cars in two chicken houses to hide their vehicles from view. Officers confiscated 75 vehicles.

The cockfighting occurred in the middle chicken house.

Animal control took 133 live roosters. Officials also found several dead roosters.



Contact E.A. Seagraves at 883-4422, Ext. 241, or elizabeth.seagraves@news-record.com

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