CALIFORNIA BRIEFING / LOS ANGELES
A South Los Angeles man convicted of running a cockfighting ring at his home was sentenced Wednesday to 360 days in jail, authorities said.
Israel Ramirez, 53, was also ordered by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Frederick N. Wapner to attend one year of animal cruelty classes and could face an additional two years in prison if he violates the terms of his probation, Deputy Dist. Atty. Deborah Knaan said.
Ramirez was arrested in June after Los Angeles police said they broke up a cockfight at his home on 108th Street, where officers arrested 10 spectators along with Ramirez and seized 50 roosters.
Police found a blood-spattered fighting pit at the home.
Ramirez told police he held fights at his home about once a month and charged spectators $20 to attend, authorities said. Ramirez, who had previously been convicted of misdemeanor cockfighting, pleaded guilty to felony charges of animal cruelty and cockfighting.
-- Jack Leonard
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
