Cockfighting ring busted in Tonopah; three men face felony charges

TONOPAH, Ariz. — Three men face felony charges after deputies say they uncovered a cockfighting ring on a rural Tonopah property over the weekend.

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office responded to a property near Interstate 10 and N 334th Avenue on Saturday after a property owner, who was out of state, was alerted by a neighbor about suspicious activity. Deputies say multiple vehicles were parked on the property, and sounds of yelling and screaming could be heard.

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When deputies arrived, numerous people fled the scene. Inside, deputies found a makeshift cockfighting ring, 34 live roosters, two dead roosters near the ring, and five more buried on the property. Some of the birds had gaffs, which are knives attached to their legs used in cockfighting, and visible injuries.

Deputies also recovered a betting ledger, a board tracking wins and losses, a scale, approximately 36 gaffs, wire cages, cardboard transport boxes, grills with food, and coolers with alcoholic beverages. Court documents indicate that the event was planned to last the entire weekend.

Jesus Valenzuela, 48, is accused of arranging the event and handling the money. Valenzuela was found on the property when deputies arrived and refused to speak with investigators.

Miguel Pelajio, 38, identified as the event’s “number two,” allegedly coordinated with the property caretaker to host the fight. Pelajio was found hiding on a pontoon boat under a tarp more than six hours after deputies arrived, and also refused to speak with police.

Ruben Zavala, 52, allegedly provided security and collected entry fees. Zavala told deputies he was only asked to clean trash on the property, did not know anyone there, and took a nap before waking up to law enforcement.

All three men are facing charges of presence at cockfighting, a misdemeanor, and permitting cockfighting, a felony.

The sheriff’s office said all live roosters were humanely euthanized.

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