AR-News: Daily Oklahoman on Kiowa Cockfight Bust

[Political Animal]

Six charged with felonies in cockfight
2004-06-15
By Ron Jackson
The Oklahoman


WALTERS — Six people were charged Monday with the
felony crime of participating in a cockfight,
signaling yet another round in the legal battle over
the state law that bans the activity. 

Arrested Saturday were Mike C. Turner, 51, of Lawton;
and Texans Terry Rolen Hancock, 54; Sergio Dominquez,
23; Jesus Rufino Aviles, 45; Frank Myers, 57; and
Melinda Myers, 58. 

The arrests came after Cotton County deputies entered
the Hill Top Cultural Center near Randlett with a
search warrant. 

Assistant District Attorney Mark Clark said he secured
the search warrant for the venue after a reserve
Cotton County deputy entered the cockfighting pit in
street clothes. 

“The reservist went into the facility under the claim
he was looking for someone inside,” Clark said. “Once
inside, he witnessed a cockfight take place. That’s
when he notified his department. ... We were able to
confiscate a number of items as evidence, and video
was also taken.” 

If convicted, each defendant could face up to 10 years
in prison and/or a fine up to $25,000. 

The arrests are thought to be the second ones since
late March, when the Oklahoma Supreme Court upheld a
2002 law that made cockfighting a felony. The court
last week denied a request by gamefowl breeders for a
rehearing. 

Frank Myers and Turner attempted to stage a similar
cockfight two months ago at the same center, prompting
a legal showdown between law enforcement agencies and
cockfighting enthusiasts. On the morning of the show,
the two promoters were greeted by Cotton County
Sheriff Paul Jeffrey, as well as 20 deputies and
reservists. Federal agents also were present and armed
with handguns, bullet-proof vests, plastic flex cuffs
and a search warrant. 

No cockfights were held that day, thus turning the
showdown into a media cue for Turner and Myers. 

Turner, a Kiowa tribal member, used the opportunity to
explain why he thought his Kiowa Association for
Cultural and Rural Lifestyles organization could
promote cockfights at the Hill Top Cultural Center. He
contended the center sits on traditional Indian land,
and therefore anyone fighting under his organization’s
banner would be protected legally by the umbrella of
American Indian sovereignty. 

Myers, a part-owner in the pit with fellow Texans
Bobby Jones and Hancock, was equally convinced they
couldn’t be touched by the state law. 

“We thought — and still do think — his (Turner) legal
explanations are correct,” Myers said in April. “My
intent is to fight (gamecocks) here legally under
Kiowa laws, which go above and beyond state law.” 

Clark disagrees with their legal conclusions. 

“I’m very frustrated, because I met with Michael
Turner along with Sheriff Jeffrey and Wenford Jones of
the U.S. Department of Agriculture two months ago,”
Clark explained. “We made it very clear then that he
would be arrested and charged if he held a cockfight. 

“I even wrote the Bureau of Indian Affairs about the
(Hill Top Cultural Center) land. I received a letter
notifying us that that land is not in Indian trust.
It’s on the Cotton County tax rolls. So as far as I’m
concerned, they don’t have a legal leg to stand on.” 

In April, Oklahoma City prosecutors charged Juan
Ausencio Zarate, 29; Mary Esther Zarate, 27; and
Fernando Franco Zarate, 38, with possession of birds
with the intent to engage in a cockfight. The case has
drawn heavy criticism from gamecock breeders and
supporters. 
 
 
 
 

 



	
		
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