POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Frostproof man is facing felony charges after Polk County Sheriff’s deputies uncovered an illegal cockfighting operation at his residence.
26-year-old Alex Galarza was arrested Tuesday evening, February 25th, following an investigation that stemmed from an anonymous tip about a possible unrelated crime.
While attempting to make contact with residents at a home on McClellan Road in Frostproof, deputies observed multiple roosters in cages, missing their combs and wattles – a common practice in cockfighting to minimize injuries during fights.
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Deputies also saw a fighting ring and scales used to determine the weight class of the roosters.
Detectives obtained a search warrant and recovered further evidence of cockfighting activity, including metal spurs, boxing gloves, and a ledger containing fight rounds.
Galarza was arrested and charged with:
- Breeding, training – cock fighting (F3)
- Owning, possessing for the purpose of Cock fighting (F3)
- Managing, operating property for the purpose of cock fighting (F3)
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During the investigation, Galarza’s sister, 19-year-old Isela Garcia-Galarza, interfered with detectives and was arrested for obstruction.
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