Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Camarillo, Moorpark, and Somis
Date: December 17, 2009

Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Unit
Suspects City of residence Age
Jaime Hernandez 50 Oxnard
Cipriano Gonzalez Alvarado 65 Oxnard
Alejandro Vasquez Ambriz 31 Oxnard
Ramon Bautista 35 Somis
Alejandro Granados Zavala 29 Somis
Ernesto Morales 42 Oxnard
Cesar Gomez Lopez 57 Oxnard
Javier Viorato 31 Oxnard

On December 16th, detectives from the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau, in conjunction with several allied agencies, served three search warrants related to an ongoing cockfighting investigation that began in February. The locations included a residence in the city of Camarillo, a farm property in the unincorporated area of Moorpark, and a farm property in the unincorporated area of Somis. The allied agencies included Ventura County Department of Animal Regulation, Humane Society of Ventura County, Ventura County Code Enforcement, City of Camarillo Code Enforcement, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, and the California Highway Patrol.

A large quantity of cockfighting paraphernalia was discovered, which included sharpened razors (for affixing to the legs of fighting birds), leg tethers, medications/supplements, hypodermic needles (used to inject the birds with supplements), breeding/training logs, and both commercial and homemade videos depicting cockfighting.

Animal control officials examined approximately 470 fighting birds. Of those over 260 fighting birds were humanely euthanized. Approximately 120 fighting birds were sheltered in place to be monitored by animal control personnel until their owners can be contacted. Approximately 90 fighting birds were seized as evidence.

In addition to the seizure of the fighting birds, Humane Society personnel impounded several young dogs due to unsanitary living conditions at one of the locations searched. Additional housing areas where cattle, goats, sheep, and horses are held were inspected and tagged due to unsanitary living conditions. Humane Society personnel will be conducting follow-up visits to ensure housing conditions for the animals are brought to an acceptable level.

During the course of the Search Warrant service, 8 suspects were arrested on misdemeanor charges related to animal cruelty/cockfighting. Based on the findings during the searches, the investigation will continue and additional arrests are likely. The above listed suspects were cited for misdemeanor violations relating to possession of fighting birds and possession of bird fighting implements.

In addition to inhumane treatment of animals, several other undesirable activities are associated with cock fighting that include illegal gambling, illegal sales and use of narcotics, health hazards, noise disturbances, and traffic and code violations. Although this activity is sometimes difficult to detect and is secretly conducted in remote locations, the Department takes this type of criminal activity seriously and aggressively seeks to enforce the appropriate laws.

The Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1000.00 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for these crimes. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at, 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).