ALLEGAN, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Apr. 21, 2026) – A 37-year-old Hopkins man was sentenced on charges stemming from a cockfighting ring that was busted last summer.
On Monday, Allegan County Circuit Court Judge Emily Jipp ordered Edin Rodas to a day in prison, 18 months of probation, and to pay nearly $700 in fines. He had pled guilty last month to felony counts of animal fighting, having animal fighting equipment, and killing/torturing animals.
Rodas was arrested on July 29th after sheriff’s deputies descended upon a farm property, following a video tip from a animal advocacy group showing an event that had been staged there three days earlier. Hard evidence gathered at that time supported the virtual claims made in the video, with 36 dead roosters found at the scene.
Sheriff’s detectives said, at the time of the arrest and Rodas’ arraignment, that additional suspects had been identified, although no further disclosure as to anyone else being charged in the case has been made.
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