WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | 21 charged for roles in cockfighting business

21 charged for roles in cockfighting business

U.S. Attorney Walt Wilkins said Wednesday that undercover officers attended eight cockfighting events in Lexington and Williamsburg counties during a yearlong investigation.

The three indictments accuse the group of operating an unlawful animal fighting venture and an illegal gambling business. Authorities also say they conspired to violate the Animal Welfare Act by staging or participating in cockfighting contests.

Indictment on charges in Lexington County were:

• Nancy Elizabeth Dial, 52, of North
• Sheri M. Hutto, 48, of Pelion
• Wayne Hugh Hutto, 60, of Pelion
• Michael Monroe Grooms, 54, of Gilbert
• Michael T. Rodgers, 57, of Kingstree
• Leslie Wayne Peeler, 41, of Gaffney
• Jeffrey Brian Gibert, 38, of Ninety Six
• Gerald Benfield, 57, of York
• Johnny Junior Harrison, 35, of Aiken
• John Carlton Thurman Hoover, 39, of Pelion
• Coy Dale Robinson, 31, of Blackstock
• Scott Edward Lawson, 41, of Laurens
• Jimmie Jesse Hicks, 23, of Swansea
• George William Kelly, 44, of Kershaw

Indicted on charges in Williamsburg County were:

• Roy Wilson Braddock, 51, of Hollywood
• Mary Durden Braddock, 55, of Hollywood
• Jonathan Leviner, 38, of Sumter
• David Earl Davis, 45, of Andrews
• Buster Dale Moore, 61, of Andrews
• Wade Timmons Mcgee, 34, of Scranton
• Charles E. Allbritton, 66, of Mt. Pleasant

Conspiracy, operating an unlawful animal fighting venture and operating an illegal gambling business carry up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines on each charge.

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