A family in Alabama was sentenced after running an illegal cockfighting operation in the state with stadium-style seating, and a merchandise stand.
According to the police, Jim Easterling, 77, the family’s patriarch, owned the business and operated the cockfighting ring for many years. He gave his granddaughter, Amber Easterling, 25, the responsibility of running the merchandise stand, where she sold weapons bird-owners could strap onto the bird’s feet during the cockfights.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) said that the seven members of the Easterling family ran one of the biggest and most lucrative cockfighting businesses in the United States.
The seventh and final accused member of the family received his sentencing on Tuesday, December 6, on federal charges.
George Easterling, 56, from Verbena, Alabama, was sentenced to 22 months in prison and supervised release for one year. He received the sentence after pleading guilty to several felony charges on August 5, including violating the Animal Welfare Act, which forbids animal fighting.
According to prosecutors, Easterling was among seven members of his family, whose ages range from 25 -77, involved in an illegal cockfighting ring and another operation for breeding fighting birds that proved very profitable.
The Justice Department issued a statement saying that court documents and public record information show that for more than three years, from January 2018 to June 2021, numerous illegal cockfighting events were held at a fighting pit the family ran. The family-built stadium-style seating in the cockfighting arena with a capacity of about 150 people, facing several fighting pits. Several outbuildings included a merchandise stand.
Participants had to pay a hefty price if they wanted their birds to participate in the fights. The family charged $1,500 to fight seven roosters. They advised the owners of participating birds what weapons to strap on their legs, like long knives, short knives, or spurs.
Prosecutors accused the Easterling family of furthering their ambition by running two large breeding businesses for fighting birds near the cockfighting pit. They produced thousands of fighting birds that were sold and later used in the fights for sporting, entertainment, or wagering purposes.
Jim Easterling received a two-year home detention sentence because incarceration would be detrimental to his health and an $8,000 fine for violating and conspiring with others to violate the Animal Welfare Act. Amber got a one-year probation for her involvement in the business.
The statement described Brent Easterling, 38, as a widely known breeder for fighting birds in the country. He and his wife, Kassi Easterling, ran L&L Gamefarm and charged $1500 for three roosters, and people paid a pretty penny for the birds because they were of “select fighting bloodlines.”
Brent got a 24-month prison sentence and a year of supervised release, while Kassi got two years’ probation, including half a year of home detention.
Todd Kim, the Assistant Attorney General of the DOJ’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, applauded the sentences saying that they clearly showed the DOJ’s commitment to holding people who profit from animal cruelty accountable.