ABINGDON, VA – Russell D. Peaks, 40, of Pound, Virginia, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced today for a disturbing trifecta of crimes: bringing a minor to a brutal cockfight, peddling hydrocodone, and actively participating in a cockfighting conspiracy. Acting United States Attorney Rick A. Mountcastle announced the 24-month sentence handed down in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia.
Peaks previously admitted guilt to his role in the illegal cockfighting operation centered around the Big Blue Sportsmen’s Club – known locally as “Big Blue” – in McDowell, Kentucky. The evidence laid bare a pattern of Peaks raising fighting roosters at his Wise County home, transporting them across state lines for the bloody spectacles, and even hosting fights on his own property. The most damning aspect of the case? Peaks knowingly exposed a minor to the graphic violence of the cockfights – a federal felony since 2014.
The cruelty didn’t stop at animal abuse. Peaks also engaged in drug trafficking, selling hydrocodone to an undercover officer, further cementing his disregard for the law. Investigators revealed Peaks wasn’t operating alone. He was part of a network actively working to facilitate the barbaric sport, providing birds and contributing to the overall operation. This wasn’t a one-off incident; it was a sustained criminal enterprise.
Peaks isn’t the only one facing consequences. Five other individuals previously convicted for their involvement at Big Blue have already received prison sentences ranging from 6 to 18 months. Another defendant, Jimmy Crate Willis, has reached a plea agreement and is expected to enter a guilty plea soon. Two remaining defendants are scheduled to face a jury on December 12, 2016, at the Federal Courthouse in Big Stone Gap, Virginia.
The investigation was a multi-agency effort, spearheaded by the United States Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General, and the Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Bureau of Law Enforcement, with crucial support from the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office. A vast network of agencies, including the Virginia Animal Fighting Task Force, Virginia State Police, and even Homeland Security Investigations, contributed to the takedown of this operation.
Assistant United States Attorneys Randy Ramseyer and Michelle Welch are prosecuting the cases. This case serves as a harsh reminder that animal cruelty and drug trafficking are serious federal offenses, and those who profit from them will be held accountable. The Grimy Times will continue to follow the cases of Willis and the remaining defendants as they move through the legal system.
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Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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