14 people charged after Kentucky cockfighting ring broken up

Multiple people have been charged after officers discovered a cockfighting ring in Casey County on Sunday, according to Kentucky State Police.

Around noon, KSP received a report of an organized cockfighting event at a home at 5907 KY 837 in Bethelridge. According to KSP, troopers found a caged area with seating for spectators, several injured chickens and a concession area.

Leo Harris, 59, and Christopher Harris, 39, were charged with second-degree animal cruelty, according to KSP. Court documents say Leo Harris owns the property and is the father of Christopher Harris, who grew up on the property.

According to court documents, several people fled the apartment when police officers arrived at the home. The following 12 people were charged with second-degree animal cruelty:

• Steven Wesley, 35, of Science Hill

• Tiffany Robinson, 35, of Liberty

• Tyler Gillilan, 22, of Eubank

• James Croucher, 38, of Mount Vernon

• Brandon Mounce, 39, of Lancaster

• Randall Emerson, 49, of Bethelridge

• Kaleb Chansler, 33, of Middleburg

• Ronald Sharp, 47, of Russell Springs

• Dormas Bullock, 72, of Eubank

• Jeffrey Owens, 53, of Stanford

• David Bradshaw, 65, of Bethelridge

• Shawn Harris, 35, of Russell Springs

Court documents from the suspects said several dead chickens and chicken spores were also found at the residence.

According to court records, Leo and Christopher Harris are being held at the Casey County Detention Center on $1,500 bail. The incident is being investigated by KSP.