Cockfighting, Gambling Ring Busted /

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Cockfighting, Gambling Ring Busted

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Page County
Posted: 7:24 PM Sep 20, 2007
Last Updated: 6:22 PM Sep 21, 2007
Reporter: Sharra Klug
Email Address: sklug@whsv.com

39 comments

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Four people were indicted by an Abingdon grand jury Thursday for cockfighting and gambling.

Fifty-two-year-old Dale Edward Moreland of Winchester, 49-year-old Luis Aguirre Martinez of Manassas, 65-year-old Albert C. Taylor of Luray and 60-year-old Charles Leo Kingrea of Gordonsville face several charges.

Charges include sponsoring cockfights in which roosters were transported across state lines, illegal possession of knives to be used in a cockfight, operating a gambling enterprise and money laundering. The investigation into this case is still ongoing.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture conducted an undercover operation which ended May 5 during a raid on the Little Boxwood Cockpit in Stanley.

Martinez is charged with owning the cockpit. Moreland is charged with operating the cockpit. Taylor is charged with paying a bribe to a Page County official to avoid law enforcement interference at the cockpit. Kingrea is charged with operating a business at the cockpit that sold cockfighting accessories such as knives.

On May 3, 2007 a law went into effect that increased the federal cockfighting penalty to a felony, which means each of these men could face several years in prison and between $750,000 and $2 million in fines.

Cockfighting is a game of chance in which a knife or other sharp instrument is attached to the legs of roosters and then they are battled. Fights take place in walled pits surrounded by benches for spectators and they are supervised by referees.

Fights end when a rooster either dies or refuses to fight further. And the losing rooster, if not killed in the fight itself, is often killed afterwards.

According to Virginia law, gambling or charging admission at a cockfight is illegal. According to the indictment, an admission fee was charged and bets were taken at the fights at the Little Boxwood Cockpit.

The defendants will stand trial in which the government must prove their guilt.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Dont know Location: luray on Oct 24, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Danny needs to be locked up for life!

Posted by: Thank God I'm Not From Stanley Location: Page County on Oct 1, 2007 at 06:37 PM
People like you are the reason why this comment section will be shut down. The other people were only stating their opinions and answering questions that many people have asked. You are the one who is making derogatory comments, and you are definitely out of line! Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and no one asked or even cares who you are voting for, which was already very obvious. Judging from your comment you are very immature and probably not even old enough to vote. Kudos to the person who cared enough to tell everyone how to get the information. Shame on you. I am sure Danny will not be very impressed with someone like you trying to speak for him. Grow up! I'm sure most of the people from Stanley don't even want to be associated with you!
Kudos to concerned and I care!

Posted by: melinda Location: stanley on Oct 1, 2007 at 11:58 AM
It's nobody's business... People in Page County make it their business... Just Plain Nosey. People like you. And you are exactly right! My vote is for Mr.Presgraves! What's it to YA!! How Ya like that spelling. No it's nosey people like you that give us a bad name. If everyone would mind their own business, we wouldn't have this gossip anyway. I care too..

Posted by: I care! Location: Page County on Sep 30, 2007 at 04:30 PM
It is everyone's business who is living in Page and paying taxes. Sounds like you are very much on the defensive for some reason. Maybe you should spend your time looking up words in the dictionary and how to spell them. You have already lowered yourself by posting such a ridiculous comment. Actually a lot of people care, they just don't know how to go about finding out information. It was meant for the misinformed, not the ignorant or insolent. Judging from your comment everyone knows which category you fall under. My, my , must have hit a nerve! People like you give Stanley a bad name.

Posted by: melinda Location: stanley on Sep 29, 2007 at 08:07 AM
So who's bussiness is it anyway, what Sheriff Presgraves owns , He is a smart man , he knows how to expand , and make money .EXAMPLE :::Look waht he has done for the county !! DUH! Maybe you are jealous . I don't waste my time wondering what other people owns !!!It may be public information , But I wouldn't lower myself to go and LOOK ! WHO CARES...

Posted by: just wondering Location: luray on Sep 28, 2007 at 12:08 AM
Just a thought, if I were to take a bribe from someone I think I'd probably ask for way more than $500. What does $500 really get these days?

Posted by: concerned Location: Page County on Sep 26, 2007 at 05:44 AM
Some people are beginning to see a pattern what with the wealth Mr. Presgraves has acquired. I am not saying anything other than you can go to the land office and see for yourself. You can see ALL of his property, and if you know the name of the company or business he is associated with you can look that up as well. There seems to be quite a bit, and most people do not know that they are privy to this information. You can see what anyone owns.

Posted by: luray on Sep 24, 2007 at 10:50 AM
Bristol, worry about yourself. Not all cops are corrupt. There are a lot of children out there that their mother or father that are never coming home because of the job in law enforcement. Try to watch what you say. Just because you have a problem with cops, it is also against the law to slander just to let you know.

Posted by: CUB Location: LURAY on Sep 23, 2007 at 06:52 AM
Why is the OFFICIAL that took the BRIBE not name or INDICTED? Only fair.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: God's Country on Sep 23, 2007 at 12:35 AM
Check out: www.pagecountywatch.blogspot.com Click on: cock and bull

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Shenandoah on Sep 22, 2007 at 09:31 PM
Finally, a saying that is true..."what goes around, comes around". I hope this is only the beginning of things to come for the "County Offical". My prayers have been answered. PS: Thanks God:)

Posted by: huey Location: stanardsville on Sep 22, 2007 at 06:39 PM
If all four of these men are felons what about George Washington, Abe Lincoln, and Andrew Jackson, respected leaders of our country, who all kept and fought game cocks on the White House grounds. So I guess they are felons too. Animal rights people need to get a life!!

Posted by: Happy Days Location: Luray on Sep 21, 2007 at 11:14 PM
What goes around comes around, and somebody is getting ready to get the come around. Wonder who? DP

Posted by: Grady N. Coker Location: Colorado on Sep 21, 2007 at 10:24 PM
Man kill chicken, chicken kill chicken. What is the difference. Man kill chicken is much more cruel and less humane!! So what is legal?

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Stanley on Sep 21, 2007 at 09:45 PM
It is my understanding that he has a good lawyer. The former Attorney General as well as two private investigators that are talking to the grand jury witnesses. It is obvious who the public official is. There was only one contribution made by Albert Taylor, in the amount of $500.00 to any candidate and that was the sheriff. Who is also the only one that could control law enforcement. And no it is not the sheriff that "turned these thugs in" or 1, he would have used it for publicity and 2, he has denied any knowledge.

Posted by: melinda Location: stanley on Sep 21, 2007 at 08:14 PM
Innocent until proven guilty! Wake up, people of Page County! You all act like you are perfect. No one wants to talk about all the good things the Sheriff has done for this county. I hope he gets re-elected and all this backfires on everyone. You like him well when you want something, you call him and cry and he answers your request, but go ahead and turn your back on him now. You may need him later. He aught to laugh in your face.

Posted by: Jennifer Location: Luray on Sep 21, 2007 at 07:20 PM
You can't catergorize animals by importance. We've given Michael Vick hell, it's time to stop these guys. Animals are animals, whether dogs or chickens, it's wrong. All the officials involved need to be pubicized and should immediately step down. I am tired of corruption in this County. Hold them all accountable and make it a clean sweep in the elections. We need new faces and attitudes in charge at all levels.

Posted by: Happy Location: Luray on Sep 21, 2007 at 05:53 PM
I am sitting here reading the sealed indictment. I don't think the official needs our comments at all. Just a good lawyer.

Posted by: Wayne Location: Stanley on Sep 21, 2007 at 05:39 PM
This is the start of a very sad end. It is time for the truth to come out. The Sheriff's office is full of great men and women. Unfortunately 6 have already severed their ties. Let's cut the crap. This just a hint of what is sure to follow. It is time to decide whether you condone criminal activity or not. It is time to decide if bribes and corruption is what you expect from an elected law enforcement official. Provide moral support to his family, but let everyone know that corruption will not be tolerated.

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 21, 2007 at 05:32 PM
You want to publicize everyone involved lets hear who the county official is too. It's only fair!!!

Posted by: Rodney Location: Harrisonburg on Sep 21, 2007 at 05:18 PM
First off, roosters that are strange to each other will naturally fight, whether they are fighting, egg laying, or meat for eating chickens. To say anyone that has two chickens fighting is breaking the law would be ridiculous.
I think if this station was putting as much attention on why all these illegal aliens are overrunning this country and why the government is looking the other way, would be better use of you peoples news reporting abilities.

Posted by: JoJo Location: Elkton, Va on Sep 21, 2007 at 04:35 PM
No I do not think Chicken fighting should be illegal in VA. What about the Millions of Chickens and Turkeys getting killed a day for people to eat?? No one sees no harm in that. The men and women doing the chicken fighting are not out here killing or raping people. Chicken fighting has been around for years and probably will long after we're gone. Chickens will fight regardless!! You put two roosters together and one ends up dead, it's a proven fact!!! It's in their breed!! How about cracking down on people raping people, stealing, and Killing each other?? If cockfighting is all the world would had to worry about we'd be doing ok and our troops would be home with their families!

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 21, 2007 at 04:34 PM
I think the news team is making Page Co. look bad because the same thing happens in other counties as well. Page County people are great people. I was born and raised there and that is my HOME and it is a great place to raise your children . There are a whole lot worse things people could do other than a cock fight. Why don't we concentrate on the war at hand and the rapes and killings that go on everyday. And I don't hear anyone complaining when chickens and turkeys are getting slaughtered everyday for people to eat. What's right about that?

Posted by: SCOTT Location: LURAY on Sep 21, 2007 at 04:18 PM
Illegal Fireworks? That is a drop in the bucket compared to taking a bribe!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Luray on Sep 21, 2007 at 03:42 PM
Mr. "Perfect" Danny Presgraves in trouble? No way!! It's about time!!!!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: harrisonburg on Sep 21, 2007 at 03:21 PM
Did anyone stop to think that the official that took the bribe is the one that turned these thugs in?? It says he paid a bribe, not bribes, so it is possible the bribe didn't work. Remember they know it was paid. Just a thought.

Posted by: ME Location: Stanley on Sep 21, 2007 at 03:17 PM
See you in JAIL.

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 21, 2007 at 02:30 PM
Geez, I wonder if Whoopee Goldberg will join this foray on "The View" because I am sure cockfighting, like dogfighting is a "southern" sport.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Shenandoah on Sep 21, 2007 at 01:57 PM
Who is without guilt cast the first stone. Now many tickets have been fixed. Illegal fireworks be allowed to be sold. Etc. by all officials, not just the county.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Luray on Sep 21, 2007 at 12:47 PM
It's about time! Like they say "every dog gets its day". This has nothing to do with it being an election year. These are FEDERAL charges, people!!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Stanley on Sep 21, 2007 at 12:00 PM
Lets get it right. "County Offical" not corrupt cops. I know the cops and they are good people. Before you say something read the information on USDOJ site.

Posted by: unknown Location: Luray on Sep 21, 2007 at 10:29 AM
Why in the world would somebody say "I guess this is the best that the candidates can do." The newspaper clearly states that the suspects were indicted by a federal grand jury. The undercover USDA agent was the one told that the Page County Official had been paid.

Posted by: tracy Location: luray on Sep 21, 2007 at 10:08 AM
Election year or not, the county official took a bribe. That is wrong in any year.

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 21, 2007 at 09:45 AM
Just wondering, is the official Danny Presgraves, the Sheriff?

Posted by: unknown Location: luray on Sep 21, 2007 at 07:02 AM
It's funny how this all comes out in election year?? So convenient. I guess this the best that the candidates can do?

Posted by: Just wondering Location: Rockingham Co on Sep 21, 2007 at 06:14 AM
So who is the Page County Official who is involved? Is this person going to face charges as well?

Posted by: Yes Location: In Deed on Sep 21, 2007 at 01:48 AM
It's about time. Remember ( he is a good person we should forgive) if it was anybody else he be in jail RIGHT NOW!! Whether he is a county official or not, he has to follow the law as well as everybody else. I just hope Police/Law enforcement are not looked downed on. It's a great county. It just needs new leadership.

Posted by: Hank Location: Bristol on Sep 20, 2007 at 10:27 PM
Ha ha, those guys got what they deserved. I hope the corrupt local officials get it too. There are too many corrupt cops turning a blind eye to this garbage. The feds need to indict them all.

Posted by: OH MY Location: Luray on Sep 20, 2007 at 08:04 PM
BUSTED!!!!!

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