26 Arrested in Hesperia Cockfighting Bust; Roosters, Cash and Firearms Seized
HESPERIA, Calif. (VVNG.com) — Twenty-six people were arrested on Sunday, October 26, 2025, after deputies discovered an illegal cockfighting operation in Hesperia.
At about 11:29 a.m., deputies from the Hesperia Station responded to a call regarding an unknown problem involving multiple people in the 17100 block of Darwin Avenue.
Upon arrival, numerous individuals fled the scene. With assistance from the Sheriff’s Aviation Unit and Victorville City Station deputies, authorities were able to detain 26 individuals, according to a written statement from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
“Deputies searched inside the business for additional subjects and found an active cock fight,” stated the release. The Rural Crimes Task Force was notified and assumed control of the investigation.
Following the execution of a search warrant on the property and vehicles, investigators uncovered a cockfighting ring, 56 live roosters housed individually, 24 deceased roosters, gaffs, scorecards, five firearms, and food catering supplies. Authorities also collected approximately $28,000 in U.S. currency.
Inside multiple vehicles, investigators located additional gaffs and other paraphernalia related to illegal cockfighting. Hesperia Animal Control responded to assist, and transportation vans from the High Desert Detention Center were used to transport suspects to jail. All individuals were booked for felony charges.
The following suspects were arrested:
- Juan Pantoja, 48, Los Angeles
- Jario Diaz Munoz, 61, Downey
- Guillermo Plancarte, 67, Riverside
- Saul Satibanez Gomez, 60, Hesperia
- Gilberto Chavez Navarro, 45, Long Beach
- Oscar Lopez, 45, North Hills
- Luis Gonzalez Celis, 37, Anaheim
- Jose Tova Hurtado, 60, Fontana
- Zutllamy Mata, 40, Downey
- Alan Segoviano, 32, Adelanto
- Samuel Perez, 47, Hemet
- Francisco Sandoval, 59, Coachella Valley
- Antonio Rodriguez, 28, Compton
- Fernando Arana Contreras, 42, Hesperia
- Gustavo Rivas, 63, Glendale
- Julio Becerra, 35, Compton
- Maria Bustillo, 34, Compton
- Natalie Flores Gilbert, 21, San Diego
- Jose Camarillo, 50, Hesperia
- Kimberly Delgado, 27, San Diego
- Karla Ambriz Quezada, 33, Norwalk
- Matthew Perez, 24, Hemet
- Ricardo Perez, 24, Hemet
- Jessica Nunez Rivas, 64, Los Angeles
- Manuel Salinas, 51, Hesperia
- Antonio Villa, 28, Hesperia
“Although cock fighting is legal in other countries, it is not legal in the United States,” the statement added. “The Rural Crimes Team takes these investigations very seriously and will investigate them to the fullest and suspects will be arrested.”
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Lucerne Valley Sheriff’s Sub-Station at 760-248-7328. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or visit wetip.com
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