South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster

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Today's News from the Office of the Attorney General

36 Defendants Charged In Cockfighting Stings

Columbia, SC – Attorney General Henry McMaster today announced warrants have been issued for thirty-six (36) individuals charged for their involvement in two (2) cockfighting operations in Lexington and Williamsburg Counties. The action is the result of a thirteen (13) month undercover investigation in which S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officers attended cockfighting events near Swansea in Lexington County and near Oceida in Williamsburg County.

Cockfighting is a misdemeanor violation of §16-17-650(A)(1) of the South Carolina Code of Laws, and is punishable to one (1) year imprisonment or a $1,000 fine.

In 2005, McMaster led an effort to increase the state’s maximum penalty for cockfighting from thirty (30) days to one (1) year imprisonment for a first offense. A second or subsequent offense now carries a maximum penalty of three (3) years imprisonment.

“Cockfighting is a crime that leaves an ugly scar on our community,” said McMaster. “The criminal underworld surrounding it is a haven for drugs, violence, and gambling. This sting would not have been possible without the dedicated officers of DNR who led and executed this operation.”

View Lexington County warrants.

View Williamsburg County warrants.

All offenses will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.

McMaster stressed that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.