4 still in jail for cockfight

By Chip Womick -- Staff Writer
Posted: 02/01/09 - 10:23:50 pm CST

ASHEBORO — Most of the people arrested in the largest cockfighting operation uncovered in Randolph County history have flown the coop.

That is, they made bail.

As of 9 p.m. Sunday night, just four of the 73 people charged in Saturday’s raid on three chicken houses near the Coleridge community were still in Randolph County Jail.

The remainder had made bonds ranging from $1,000 to $7,500. Most of those arrested were charged with one count of cockfighting and one count of cruelty to animals, both felony charges which can carry prison sentences of 7- to 10 years with conviction. First court appearances for those charged will be Tuesday and Wednesday.

An investigation continues into the cockfighting operation, which Randolph County Sheriff Maynard Reid characterized as “sophisticatedâ€