A fourth arrest has been made weeks after an illegal cockfighting ring bust in the far West Valley, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities announced Wednesday that Trinidad Bustos, 63, was arrested in connection with a raid that was conducted Jan. 10 near Indian School and Hassayampa roads in Tonopah.
Trinidad Bustos, 63, was arrested following an investigation into an illegal cockfighting operation in Tonopah, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office confirmed Wednesday.MCSO officials confirmed to Arizona’s Family that Bustos was booked into the Maricopa County jail. Court records showed she was booked on one count of presence at a cockfight and permitting cockfighting.
Bustos was questioned Tuesday by detectives, who said she admitted to being at the property on the day of the bust and said she was having a “baptism party for her godchild.”
One witness told deputies that Bustos was taking care of the property for the owner. But investigators said there was no evidence of a children’s party when they searched they home. She also couldn’t name the godchild or the child’s parent.
Specifically, Bustos said that she left the property between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and “knew nothing about a cockfight.”
Detectives said that didn’t make sense because other witnesses reported she was there while the cockfight was happening and was paid off to allow it to happen, court documents said.
Authorities detailed in court papers that 34 live roosters, two dead roosters near the fighting ring, and a hole with five dead roosters were found inside.
Some of the roosters reportedly had gaffs attached to their legs, which are knives used for cockfighting. A scale, a ledger, a board with bets, wins and losses, and 36 gaffs were also discovered.
A sheriff’s office spokesperson later confirmed the roosters found alive at the Tonopah property were humanely euthanized.
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