A man who attempted to smuggle more than two dozen roosters and hens into Mexico for the purposes of cockfighting was sentenced to time served, 65 days in custody. Marco Marquez-Avila, 41, of Tijuana, was returned to the United States on April 22, 2013, by Mexican authorities who discovered that he had 28 adult roosters and hens covered by floor mats in his Toyota Camry.
Each bird was individually encased in a nylon sock with the head covered and the feet bound with a velcro strap. Additionally, the birds had had their combs and wattles removed, a common mutilation for birds intended for cockfighting. All birds required euthanasia.
While cockfighting is legal in Mexico, it is not legal in the state of California. Federal law in the U.S. prohibits the transportation of animals that are to be used in an animal fighting venture. Additionally, federal regulations require that poultry exported to Mexico be eligible to be freely transported and marketed in the United States, which cockfighting birds are not.
This is the fifth case of cockfighting birds being smuggled southbound to Mexico this year, and the second time someone has been turned around by Mexican authorities and returned to Customs and Border Protection officers in as many months because adult poultry are not allowed to be exported to Mexico without prior inspection and certification.
Marco Marquez-Avila was charged with unlawful transportation of animals used in animal fighting venture – Title 7, United States Code, 2156. The maximum penalties for this charge are 5 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Defendant: Marco Marquez-Avila
Case Number: 13cr01845
Summary of Charges: Unlawful transportation of animals used in animal fighting venture – Title 7, United States Code, 2156
Related Federal Cases
- Enrique Marquez Jr, Providing Material Support to Terrorists, California 2011 · California
- Robert Paul Rundo, Conspiracy to Violate Anti-Riot Act, California 2023 · Florida
- Chance Brannon, Xavier Batten, Tibet Ergul, Molotov Cocktail Attack, California 2023 · Florida
- Stephen William Beal, Using a Weapon of Mass Destruction, California 2018 · Florida
- Alexander Milinovic, Unsafe Operation of Unmanned Aircraft, California 2022 · Florida
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Violent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent Crime