Another suspect has been charged in connection with the Feb. 18 cockfight at a residential property on North Easton Road in Plumstead.
According to court documents, Mara Guadalupe Duran, 50, of the 1000 block of North Easton Road in Plumstead, was arraigned Thursday afternoon on 46 counts of felony animal fighting for the owning, possessing or selling of animals for fighting, 46 counts of neglect of animals for lack of sustenance and water, which is a summary offense, and other violations.
The charges mirror those filed on March 3 against Manfid Duran, 49, after police said on the Plumstead Crimewatch site that they stopped his vehicle in the area of Swamp Road and found an active warrant for his arrest that stemmed from the cockfight investigation.
Upon learning of an arrest warrant in her name, police said Mara Guadalupe Duran turned herself in without incident Thursday at the Plumstead Township Police Station.
Both Durans are scheduled to appear for preliminary hearings on March 18.
On Feb. 18, Plumstead Township police officers responded to the North Easton Road property and discovered that a cockfight was taking place in a detached garage. Police said they found two roosters fighting in a ring and about two dozen spectators, who quickly dispersed when officers arrived.
Police detained one — Cesar Cordova-Morales — who was reportedly carrying a satchel containing several bottles of steroids, cutting instruments, string, artificial metal spurs, spur covers and other items commonly used in cockfighting, according to officials with the Bucks County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The charges against Cordova-Morales include possession of animal fighting paraphernalia and paying admission to attend animal fighting, according to court documents.
More arrests are possible and the investigation, which began with an anonymous tip, is ongoing.
As for the roosters, the SPCA relocated the animals to a safe place and gave them fresh food and water and is continuing to care for them.
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