⏱ 2 min read
Luis Castillo, a 38-year-old Massachusetts man, has been sentenced for his role in a 2022 cockfighting operation in Rhode Island. Castillo pleaded guilty to violating the Animal Welfare Act, admitting he brought roosters from Massachusetts to Rhode Island for animal fighting. The operation involved multiple agencies and took place in 2022, with Castillo’s sentencing handed down in 2026.
Castillo’s plea deal revealed he travelled from Massachusetts to Rhode Island with roosters to participate in cockfighting for sport, wagering, and entertainment. The investigation was led by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigation, and the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The sentencing, handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. Dubose, included two years of probation, a $200 fine, and a $100 special assessment. The case was prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorney Gary Donner and Assistant Chief Stephen Da Ponte of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney John McAdams for the District of Rhode Island.
The investigation and sentencing serve as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat animal cruelty and organized crime in the region. The collaboration between federal and state agencies demonstrates a commitment to enforcing animal welfare laws and holding perpetrators accountable.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Organized Crime
- Defendant: Rhode Island
- Location: RI
- Source: DOJ Press Release
