United States of America v. Jennifer Scott

Jennifer Scott, 42, had been using her property in New Hampshire to raise and train roosters for cockfighting. On several occasions, she transported roosters to North Carolina, where she traded them and had them participate in illegal cockfighting events. During a search warrant executed on her property, law enforcement recovered sparring muffs used to train roosters for cockfighting, a sparring aid used to entice roosters to attack the simulated opponent, 76 roosters, 84 hens, 261 juvenile chickens, and an egg incubator.

“The defendant participated in a multistate cockfighting venture and profited from animal cruelty,” said U.S. Attorney Creegan. “The conduct was extensive, involving networks of participants at multiple locations in North Carolina, as well as scores of animals. Today’s sentence stands as a warning to those who participate in and fuel the market for this brutal conduct.”

The investigation was led by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Law Enforcement Division, New Hampshire State Police, Massachusetts State Police, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Animal Rescue League of Boston Law Enforcement Division, and the Chester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Vicinanzo prosecuted the case.

Term of Probation: 1 year with standard and special conditions. Special Assessment $25.00. Fine $2,500 due in equal installments over one year.