Glen Avon, California - On March 2, 2008, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, in conjunction with the Inland Valley Task Force conducted an illegal fiesta sweep. Upon deputies arrival they found an illegal cockfighting operation in progress. The sweep was conducted in the unincorporated community of Glen Avon.

The operation resulted in the arrest of 4 individuals for 2 separate felony charges each, and 1 misdemeanor charge each. An additional 10 individuals were cited and released. Jose Cortes, 51, of Glen Avon was arrested and charged with 597 (a) PC, Animal Cruelty, 182 (a) (1) PC, Conspiracy, and 597 b (b) PC, Participating in a Cockfight. Francisco Lopez, 49, of Mira Loma was arrested and charged with 597 (a) PC, Animal Cruelty, 182 (a) (1) PC, Conspiracy, and 597 b (b) PC, Participating in a Cockfight. Carlos Ramirez, 35, of Glen Avon was arrested and charged with 597 (a) PC, Animal Cruelty, 182 (a) (1) PC, Conspiracy, and 597 b (b) PC, Participating in a Cockfight. Dario Espinoza, 24, of Los Angeles was arrested and charged with 597 (a) PC, Animal Cruelty, 182 (a) (1) PC, Conspiracy, and 597 b (b) PC, Participating in a Cockfight.


An additional ten subjects were charged with 597 b (b) PC, Present at a Cockfight. Two of the additional subjects were also cited for 272 (a) (1) PC, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, by having their minor children, ages nine and twelve present during the cockfighting. $2,108.00 in U.S. Currency was seized as evidence. Riverside County Animal Services seized and euthanized 35 fighting roosters. 28 recently deceased roosters were found in the trash just outside the fighting arena. 1 freshly dead rooster was found on the ground next to the fighting arena.

The Inland Valley Task Force includes the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Jurupa Valley Station Community Action Team, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the Ontario Police Department, the California Department of Agriculture, Milk & Dairy Branch, the Brands Branch, the California Board of Equalization, the Riverside County Environmental Health Illegal Food Program, Riverside County Code Enforcement, and their Special Enforcement Team, Riverside County Animal Services, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, the Recording Industry Association of America, and the Motion Picture Association of America.

There continues to be illegal fiesta and food vendors selling food and dairy products that have not been inspected. This presents a significant health and safety risk to the public and residents of Riverside County. Cheese samples that were seized during the last fiesta sweep were later analyzed, and tested positive for Salmonella. Several birds were seized and sent to the state lab to be tested for Exotic New Castle Disease, and Avian Bird Flu. The Sheriff’s Department, and the Inland Valley Task Force are planning future sweeps in a continuing effort to provide a safe environment for the residents of Riverside County. These and other locations will regularly be checked to ensure compliance with state, and local laws.