Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Animal Welfare Act Violation

PROVIDENCE - A Massachusetts man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Rhode Island for sponsoring and exhibiting roosters in an animal fighting venture, announced United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda.

Luis Castillo, 35, pleaded guilty to violating the Animal Welfare Act, in connection to his role and participation in a cockfighting derby in 2022. Castillo admitted travelling from Massachusetts to Rhode Island and bringing roosters to cockfight for sport, wagering and entertainment. He will be sentenced on April 21, 2026. The sentences imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Senior Trial Attorney Gary Donner and Assistant Chief Stephen Da Ponte of the Department of Justice's Environment and Natural Resources Division's Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney John McAdams for the District of Rhode Island prosecuted the case.

This case was investigated by the Department of Agriculture's Office of Inspector General, the Postal Inspection Service, and the Food and Drug Administration's Office of Criminal Investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Office of Law Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Rhode Island State Police, Massachusetts State Police, Animal Rescue League of Boston's Law Enforcement Division, Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Providence, Woonsocket, and Attleboro Police Departments.