2022-05-25

Child pornography arrest leads to discovery of possible cock fighting operation

AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — One person was arrested and charged with nine counts of possessing child pornography and a possible cock fighting operation may have been found, Amarillo Police Department officials said.

According to a news release, on Wednesday at 8 a.m., APD's Special Victims Unit executed a search warrant in the 300 block of N. Johnson for someone possessing or distributing child pornography.

Mauricio Villanueva, 19, was arrested for nine counts of possession of child pornography and booked into the Potter County Detention Center.

While collecting evidence, officers found evidence of a possible cock fighting operation leading to Violent Crimes Unit detectives being alerted and a search warrant drafted for the location relating to the possible cock fighting operation.

During the search, police seized more than $1,200 related to cock fighting and numerous boxes of equipment for the fights, including metal claws frequently used.

Officers also collected multiple containers with different antibiotics, drugs and other medications known to be used on roosters and chickens used for this type of animal fighting.

Amarillo Animal Management & Welfare confiscated 21 roosters from the location.

No arrests have been made at this time.

APD's Special Victims Unit and the Violent Crimes Unit are still actively investigating these cases.