Guilty plea in connection with 2018 cockfighting ring

Miguel Rodriguez, 59, of Holyoke, appeared in Northampton District Court today, Thursday Feb. 18, and pled guilty to owning, possessing and training animals for fighting along with an animal cruelty charge stemming from an investigation that began in May of 2018 by the Northampton Police Department. 

Both charges are felonies. Northampton Police charged Rodriguez, along with two other co-defendants, Salvador Cruz and John Mercado, after a lengthy investigation revealed that roosters were being raised for the purpose of fighting at Ravenwold Greenhouses, located at 1095 Florence Road, in Florence. The investigation also revealed that the roosters were being mistreated.  There was no evidence that the owners of Ravenwold Greenhouses were aware of, or involved in, the illegal activity.

At today’s hearing, Rodriguez admitted his involvement and pled guilty to both charges. The Commonwealth, who was represented by Assistant District Attorney Andrew Covington, asked the Court to sentence Rodriguez to six months in jail followed by a two-year period of probation. Attorney Philip Lauro of Springfield, asked the Court to sentence Rodriguez to 6 months of home confinement along with two years of probation.

Judge Jacklyn Connly, who presided over today’s hearing, sentenced Rodriguez to two years of probation, the first six months of which must be served under home confinement.  Rodriguez will be equipped with a GPS monitoring device while he is confined to his home.   

The terms of Rodriguez’s probationary period, which were agreed upon by the parties, include an order not to possess any animals or animal fighting paraphernalia, paraphernalia of pet ownership, 100 hours of community service, and a stay away order from Ravenwood Greenhouses. 

Cruz and Mercado are due back in Court on Feb. 26 for a pretrial hearing. Both have entered pleas of not guilty and are presumed innocent until proven otherwise. 

“The Commonwealth would like to thank the animal control officers involved in this case, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA), and the Northampton Police Department for their thorough investigation,” Assistant District Attorney Andrew Covington said.

"The Commonwealth certainly respects the Court’s decision on sentencing in this matter, and is pleased the case ended with felony convictions, which were clearly warranted.”