A major cockfighting bust in St. Landry Parish. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says the raid happened over the weekend near Opelousas.
“We seized 70 roosters. We detained and identified 60+ individuals that were participating,” Guidroz noted.
Sheriff Guidroz says the property owner, 36-year-old John Lachapelle, was the principal organizer. He’s facing felony charges, including cockfighting, possession of schedule II drugs and illegal carrying of weapons. Guidroz says it took a large team of deputies to carry out the raid.
“My guys did a wonderful job collecting the evidence, doing the interviews. And thank God, no one was hurt. It could have turned out a whole lot worse,” Guidroz said.
Despite St. Landry Parish being billed as the Cockfighting Capital of Louisiana, cockfighting remains illegal throughout the state and the country. Guidroz says as long as that’s the case, and he does not foresee that changing anytime soon, he will vigorously enforce the law.
“I made it very, very clear: If you want cockfighting in St. Landry Parish, go to the legislature and change the law. Until that happens, I am not going to tolerate it,” Guidroz said.
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