Shirley Ray Slone, Cockfighting Operation, KY 2024

ABINGDON, VA – A decades-long reign of animal cruelty came to an end this month with the demolition of the 8,000 square-foot Big Blue Sportsman’s Club in McDowell, Kentucky. The facility, notorious for hosting illegal cockfights for over 30 years, was razed following the guilty pleas of its owners, Shirley Ray Slone and Vernon Kelly Slone. The pair received sentences of one year probation each, alongside a hefty $100,000 forfeiture, as announced by Acting United States Attorney Rick A. Mountcastle and Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring.

Yesterday, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, Shirley Ray Slone, 73, and Vernon Kelly Slone, 69, both of McDowell, Kentucky, admitted to conspiring to cause others to attend a cockfight. The Big Blue Sportsman’s Club, boasting a 5,000-member clientele, wasn’t just a building; it was a purpose-built arena for brutality. Featuring arena-style seating, multiple fighting pits, and even a restaurant, the club was a lucrative enterprise built on the suffering of animals.

The Slones began operating Big Blue in 1977, running the cockfights themselves until the early 1990s. They then transitioned to leasing the facility to others who continued the illegal activity, pocketing $3 for every attendee. A 2014 law enforcement raid uncovered not just the cockfighting operation, but also evidence of gambling and narcotics, sparking a federal investigation. The destruction of the pit in early May marks a significant blow to the underground world of animal fighting.

The Slones weren’t the only ones facing consequences. Seven other individuals were previously convicted and sentenced for their roles in the Big Blue cockfighting conspiracy. Russell D. Peaks received a 24-month imprisonment sentence. Jonathan Robinson was sentenced to 12 months. Wesley Dean Robinson received 6 months. Joshua Stumbo and Sonya Stumbo both received 10-month sentences, while Walter Stumbo was sentenced to 18 months. Jimmy Crate Willis received probation.

Assistant United States Attorney Randy Ramseyer and Special Assistant United States Attorney/Virginia Assistant Attorney General Michelle Welch spearheaded the prosecution. The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the United States Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General, the Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Bureau of Law Enforcement, and the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office. Support also came from the Virginia Animal Fighting Task Force, Virginia State Police Tactical Team, Southwest Virginia Regional Task Force, and numerous other agencies across Virginia and Kentucky, as well as the ASPCA and Homeland Security Investigations.

This case serves as a grim reminder of the pervasive nature of animal cruelty and the lengths to which individuals will go to profit from it. While the Big Blue Sportsman’s Club is gone, authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to dismantle similar operations and bring those responsible to justice. The fight against animal fighting is far from over, but this demolition represents a clear victory for those who advocate for the humane treatment of animals.

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