Four individuals were taken into custody Sunday in San Bernardino County, accused of running cockfighting events, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office. Those arrested at the scene are Isidro Chaparro Sanchez, Luis Octavio Angulo, Sergio Jimenez Maldonado, and Eva Anilu Pastor Uriostegui. A fifth suspect, Cirilo Esquivel Alcantar, remains at large.

The arrests took place at a cockfighting event, where charges include aiding, and abetting, and other related allegations—the defendants, if convicted, face up to five years in prison. At these gatherings, spectators and participants allegedly engaged in betting and other gambling activities. The cockfighting "season" reportedly runs from January through August, drawing crowds that sometimes exceeded 100 people.

Details from the affidavit reveal an organized system with admission fees, parking charges, and a separate fee for entering roosters into the brutal contests. Allegedly, participants had to pay $1,000 for four roosters to compete, and fights often concluded with the death of one or both animals, due to gaffs—sharp blades—affixed to the roosters' legs.

The FBI is spearheading the investigation of these events, with Assistant United States Attorneys Cory L. Burleson, and Dennis Mitchell leading the prosecution. Although a criminal complaint has been issued, it is important to remember that these allegations only provide a basis for the legal process and do not equate to a conviction. All the accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.