Twelve Arrested in Jeff Davis Co in Relation to Cockfighting Operation, More Expected

Twelve individuals were arrested earlier this month in Jeff Davis County as well as Appling County after a multi-agency investigation into a cockfighting operation. Several agencies executed search warrants in three days at two addresses in Jeff Davis County and one in Appling County.

During a 10 acre property search in Jeff Davis, officers discovered a game fowl farm with over 100 rooster pens, chicken fighting tools, several firearms, and large sums of cash. A total of 28 firearms were removed from three convicted felons’ possessions, and the sum of cash seized was over $90,000.

According to Jeff Davis Sheriff’s Office, the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.

On Tuesday, Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy issued a statement about the bust. Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action said, “Local, state, and federal officials are treating cockfighting with the seriousness it deserves. These are malicious crimes of animal cruelty, and they are bound up with commercial gambling, illegal firearms possession, and possession of fentanyl. Law enforcement is sending the signal that cockfighting will no longer be tolerated. We applaud law enforcement for apprehending these alleged perpetrators and preventing them from committing more acts of cruelty.” Read the full statement HERE. 

From Jeff Davis Sheriff Preston Bohannon:

On the weekend of June 3, 2023 and the following days, several agencies executed three search warrants in three days, at two addresses in Jeff Davis County and one in Appling County. Several arrests were made in relation to a chicken fighting operation being held in Jeff Davis County.

As early as February, 2023, The Jeff Davis Sheriff’s office and the United Stated Department of Agriculture were conducting an investigation into chicken fighting derbies happening in Hazlehurst, Ga. In the following months, agents were able to identify property owners, facilitators, handlers, spectators and several more individuals involved and participating in the blood sport of cock fighting.

On Saturday, June 3, 2023, ten agencies descended on a property in the Graham area off of Martin Sellers Rd in Jeff Davis County. Agents searched two residences and a barn area where the suspected derbies were taking place. Agents discovered chicken fighting tools, pens, cages, blind boxes, discarded dead roosters, drugs, firearms and large sums of cash. At the derby site, agents discovered a sophisticated arena that contained an office, a main pit with stadium seating, two side pits, a weigh station, fighting board, calendars and ledgers as well as a concession stand and its menu.

On Sunday, June 4, 2023 a search warrant was executed at a residence in Appling County in the Lake Mayers area. When officers arrived on scene they discovered two individuals at the residence attempting to remove evidence from the home. Agents discovered chicken fighting tools, ammunition, suspected marijuana, suspected methamphetamine and a stolen firearm in a vehicle. Appling County deputies assisted Jeff Davis investigators in recovering 9 weapons that were removed from the residence the night before.

On Monday, June 5, 2023 a search warrant was executed at a residence in Jeff Davis County. Agents searched 10 acres of property. During the search, officers discovered a game fowl farm with over 100 rooster pens, chicken fighting tools, several firearms and large sums of cash.

A total of 28 firearms were removed from three convicted felon’s possessions and the sum of cash seized was over $90,000.

During this first initial stage, twelve subjects were arrested in connection to the cock fighting operation.

Ricky Lamar Stone, 62, Hazlehurst, Ga- aggravated animal cruelty x5, commercial gambling x5, more charges pending.

Ramona Stone, 60, Hazlehurst, Ga- parties to a crime of animal cruelty x5, parties to a crime of commercial gambling x5, possession of a scheduled 4 controlled substance.

Lowell Edward White, 61, Baxley, Ga- cruelty to animals x5, commercial gambling x5, criminal solicitation.

Robert Newton White, 64, Baxley, Ga- tampering with evidence, obstruction of law enforcement officer, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug related objects, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, theft by receiving stolen property (firearm).

Jonah Caleb White, 21, Baxley, Ga- tampering with evidence, obstruction of law enforcement officer.

Eddie Wayne Bush, 60, Hazlehurst, Ga- aggravated cruelty to animals, commercial gambling.

Dallas Neil Spivey, 39, Ambrose, Ga- parties to a crime of cruelty to animals x2, commercial gambling x2.

Justin Lewis Brown, 35, Uvalda, Ga- parties to a crime of cruelty to animals, commercial gambling.

Kailey Nicole Rogers, 23, Uvalda, Ga- parties to a crime of cruelty to animals, commercial gambling.
James Craig Scott, 64, Alma, Ga- parties to a crime of cruelty to animals, parties to a crime of commercial gambling.

Haley Marie McKinnon, 23, Hazlehurst, Ga- possession of fentanyl, tampering with evidence, possession of drug related objects.

Cashus Jordan Crosby, 30, Hazlehurst, Ga- possession of fentanyl, possession of drug related objects. Crosby had active arrest warrant for possession of methamphetamine which was served at the time of his arrest.

This case is being investigated by the Jeff Davis Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Agriculture and the FBI.

Our sheriffs office is dedicated to investigate all crimes including animal cruelty cases. On the surface this investigation may be relatively small and unimportant in many peoples perspective. Federal violations will be enforced in this region and our office will assist in these rare instances. Rest assure our investigators are continuing to investigate drug crimes, crimes against children and crimes against other people. We cannot let individuals participate in the cruelty of animals, we will not turn our cheek to the defenseless.

This investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected. Sheriff Preston Bohannon would like to thank all the agencies who assisted in the search warrants and those who are actively involved.

Dodge County SRT SWAT

Nicholls Police Department

Regional Georgia State Patrol

Alma-Bacon Crime Suppression Unit

Appling County Sheriff’s Office

Mt. Vernon Police Department

Peirce County Sheriff’s Office

Unites States Department of Agriculture

Federal Bureau of Investigations