Shirley Ray Slone and Vernon Kelly Slone, Cockfighting Conspiracy, Virginia 2023

Abingdon, VIRGINIA – A notorious cockfighting pit that operated for over 30 years has been destroyed, and its owners have been sentenced in Federal Court.

Shirley Ray Slone, 73, and Vernon Kelly Slone, 69, both of McDowell, Kentucky, were sentenced to one year of probation for their roles in a cockfighting conspiracy.

The pair had forfeited $100,000 as part of their plea agreements and agreed to pay for the demolition of the 8,000 square-foot Big Blue Sportsman’s Club in McDowell, Kentucky.

The facility, which featured arena-style seating, multiple fighting pits, and a restaurant, was the site of a law enforcement raid in 2014, leading to federal charges related to cockfighting, gambling, and narcotics.

According to testimony, the Slones began hosting cockfights at Big Blue in 1977 and leased the facility to others for use as a cockfighting pit, charging $3 per attendee.

Seven other individuals were previously convicted and sentenced for their roles in the Big Blue cockfighting conspiracy, including Russell D. Peaks, who received 24 months of imprisonment, and Jimmy Crate Willis, who received probation.

The case was investigated by 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, with assistance from several other agencies.

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