Guns, Cash, and 500 Birds: Inside the Massive Cockfighting Raid Near Las Vegas

• Nye County deputies raided two properties in Pahrump, Nev., dismantling a large-scale cockfighting operation
• Authorities seized nearly 500 birds, $60,000 in cash, and illegal weapons, making three arrests
• The suspects face dozens of felony charges, including animal abuse and operating an illegal cockfighting operation

A Nye County investigation into a suspected cockfighting ring led to three arrests and the seizure of nearly 500 birds during coordinated raids on May 26 in Pahrump, Nev., a rural desert town 72 miles west of Las Vegas.

Deputies executed search warrants at two properties after a months‑long probe into what officials described as a large‑scale breeding and fighting operation.

According to the Nye County Sheriff’s Office, investigators recovered 478 birds, 11 firearms, cockfighting equipment, and more than $60,000 in cash. Among the items seized were dozens of gaffs — sharp metal spikes strapped to a rooster’s legs to inflict severe injuries during fights.

Three suspects were taken into custody: Jorge Guzman Torres, a permanent resident; Grisel Juarez Diaz, whose immigration status is pending; and Ignacio Juarez Gomez, who deputies say is undocumented. Authorities did not release their ages.

Torres faces the most extensive list of allegations — 187 charges — including dozens of felony counts of owning birds for fighting, felony animal‑abuse charges, operating a residence for cockfighting, conspiracy, possession of gaffs, and multiple counts related to false identification.

Diaz faces 123 charges, mirroring many of the same accusations. Gomez faces 24 charges, including operating a cockfighting site, possessing gaffs, and being a prohibited person with a firearm.

Fighting Back

Cockfighting — the practice of training birds to attack each other for gambling — is a felony throughout the U.S.

While it was historically legal in certain U.S. territories — and continued in Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Northern Mariana Islands due to local laws and legal challenges — the federal government closed these loopholes with its 2018 Farm Bill, which included the Parity in Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act.

The sheriff’s office said the raids were the result of a multi‑agency effort involving Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Nye County Animal Control, and multiple sheriff’s office units, including SWAT and detectives. Officials described the operation as one of the largest animal‑cruelty crackdowns in county history.

All seized birds were turned over to animal‑control authorities as the investigation continues. Prosecutors are expected to review the case for additional charges in the coming weeks.