Onill Vazquez Lozada, Cockfighting, Rhode Island 2025

PROVIDENCE – In a disturbing case of animal cruelty, a Rhode Island man has been sentenced to two years' probation for running a cockfighting operation in the state.

Onill Vazquez Lozada, 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose to two years' probation, a $200.00 fine and $200.00 special assessment. This sentence comes after Lozada pleaded guilty on April 29, 2025 to two counts of possessing, sponsoring, and exhibiting birds in an animal fighting venture in violation of the Animal Welfare Act.

The charges against Lozada stem from two incidents: one on April 27, 2021, where he possessed roosters for the purpose of having them fight, and another on March 6, 2022, where he sponsored and exhibited, and aided and abetted sponsoring and exhibiting, at least one rooster in a fight against another rooster.

Cockfighting is a violent and inhumane practice where roosters are forced to fight each other, often to the death. The contest typically involves attaching sharp objects such as knives or gaffs to the roosters' legs, causing them to stab each other during the fight.

The investigation into Lozada's cockfighting operation was a collaborative effort between several law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Agriculture's Office of Inspector General, the Postal Inspection Service, and the Food and Drug Administration's Office of Criminal Investigation. Valuable assistance was also provided by the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Office of Law Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Rhode Island State Police, Massachusetts State Police, Animal Rescue League of Boston's Law Enforcement Division, Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Providence, Woonsocket, and Attleboro Police Departments.

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 prosecuted the case.

Lozada's sentence serves as a reminder that animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Rhode Island. The state takes pride in its efforts to protect and care for animals, and this case will help to raise awareness about the importance of reporting suspected animal abuse.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ri/pr/rhode-island-man-sentenced-cockfighting-charges