Sheriff: 19 Arrested In Wis. Cockfighting Ring Bust

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The St. Croix County Sheriff's Office says 19 people have been arrested in connection to a cockfighting ring bust in eastern Wisconsin Saturday.

On Jan. 24 at 1:13 p.m., the sheriff's office received information of a possible cockfighting event held at a dairy farm located at 1721 315th street in Glenwood, Wisconsin.

When deputies arrived, they found the working dairy farm with several people on site. From a distance away from the barn, deputies could hear the sound described as "loud chicken noises", the sheriff's office said.

As deputies approached, they saw several people gathered around a makeshift shelter. A large number of those people then ran from the area into a wooded area.

Deputies then found the cockfighting ring as well as other items that indicated a cockfight had taken or was taking place.

With the help of Polk County deputies, the Wisconsin State Patrol and Woodville and Baldwin police departments, 19 people were taken into custody. They were taken to the St. Croix County Jail where they were booked for being a spectator at a cockfight. All 19 people posted bail and were released.

The sheriff's office says the owner of the farm, Dr. Marvin Johnson, has been helpful with the investigation.

"We have concluded that Dr. Johnson had no knowledge of the event," St. Croix County Sheriff John Shilts said. "Dr. Johnson assisted deputies on scene with helping to ensure the safety of the roosters found on site. He has definitely established he does not condone this activity and has cooperated at every level with my office. Dr. Johnson has also made it clear to his employees that they are expected to cooperate with our investigation to the extent they can

The sheriff's office says that Johnson attends to his dairy herd and knew that there were some chickens on his property, but those chickens belonged to his employees for accepted farming practices.

The investigation is ongoing.