Kevin Chambers, from Animal Wellness Action, reported that J.C. Lewis Jr. was apprehended by Chickasaw National Park Rangers during a traffic stop in Sulphur. The arrest took place after a thorough search of Lewis Jr.’s truck.
“He was arrested because they discovered six fighting roosters and cockfighting equipment,” Chambers explained.
Khai Nguyen was arrested by the Atoka Police Department just two days later, after being pulled over during a traffic stop.
According to him, Nguyen and Lewis were supposedly transporting the roosters for the purpose of engaging in cockfighting, an activity that is currently considered a felony under Oklahoma state law.
According to Chambers, there are two bills that will be introduced in the upcoming legislative session. These bills aim to reduce the penalties for cockfighting, downgrading it to a misdemeanor offense. This proposed change would make it even more challenging to enforce the existing laws against cockfighting.
“These measures are nothing more than deliberate efforts to impede the work of law enforcement,” Chambers asserted.
Oklahoma District 19 Representative Justin Humphrey is in favor of reducing penalties for cockfighting, similar to how State Question 780 decreased the severity of drug offenses in Oklahoma, making them less serious crimes while still remaining illegal.
Humphrey stated that it is not possible to demand a reduction in all crimes and selectively choose which ones to ignore.
House Bill 1313 will undergo its initial reading on the House floor on February 3rd.
Lewis is currently being held at the Murray County Jail, while Nguyen is in custody in Atoka. Both individuals are expected to face charges for engaging in the illegal activity of cockfighting, which is considered a felony offense.