***UPDATE as of 11:20 a.m. on January 29, 2020***

Yendys Rosmel Ortega (Arrested)
DOB: 01/16/1992
Address: 15419 Verona Avenue, Clearwater
Charges: One count Fighting or Baiting Animals and one count Felony Cruelty to Animals

According to detectives, on January 28, 2020 at approximately 3:30 p.m., 28-year-old Yendys Ortega was arrested and charged with one count Fighting or Baiting Animals and one count Felony Cruelty to Animals, after he turned himself into detectives.

Through their investigation, detectives identified Ortega as the homeowner of the residence where the rooster fighting occurred. Ortega and his father, Juan Ortega, raised the eleven roosters removed from the residence on January 17, 2020.

All eleven roosters showed signs of being involved in fighting and were removed by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

Ortega did not make any statements to detectives and was booked into the Pinellas County Jail without incident.

The investigation continues.

***END OF UPDATE***

***Original News Release***

Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
- Burglary & Pawn Unit
- Narcotics Division  
Support Services Bureau
- Forensic Science Division

Pinellas County Animal Services

Pinellas County Code Enforcement

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)

State Attorney’s Office – Sixth Judicial Circuit

Juan Gilberto Ortega (Arrested)
DOB: 02/23/1970
Address: 15419 Verona Avenue, Clearwater
Charge: One count Fighting or Baiting Animals and one count Felony Cruelty to Animals

What:
Detectives have arrested a Clearwater man for Fighting or Baiting Animals and Felony Cruelty to Animals.

When:
Detectives were notified of the incident at about 1:50 p.m., on January 17, 2020.

Detectives arrested the suspect at about 9:00 p.m., on January 17, 2020.

Where:
The crime occurred at 15419 Verona Avenue in unincorporated Clearwater.

Why/How:
According to detectives, on January 17, 2020, at about 1:50 p.m., deputies were dispatched 15419 Verona Avenue in unincorporated Clearwater, to assist Pinellas County Animal Services with a complaint of a possible rooster fighting ring.

From the roadway, deputies were able to see several roosters, what appeared to be a fighting ring, and multiple cages in the backyard of the residence.

According to detectives, contact was made with 49-year-old Juan Ortega, to request consent to enter the property in order to conduct a welfare check on the roosters, but consent was declined.

Detectives obtained a search warrant from the State Attorney’s Office, Sixth Judicial Circuit, and entered the property. Eleven roosters were seized and collected by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

Detectives say all eleven roosters showed signs of being involved in fighting as their combs were cropped and their feathers were removed from the breasts. The roosters also appeared to have injuries to their waddles and combs. Multiple items used in rooster fighting were collected from the backyard to include a whip, training devices, clippers, and syringes.

Detectives also discovered a detached garage on the property which contained what appeared to be a marijuana grow operation. Detectives advised they collected 20 marijuana plants from inside the garage. Additional charges regarding this grow operation are pending, per further analysis.

Detectives transported Ortega to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Administration Building, to conduct an interview, but he requested an attorney and the interview was terminated. 

Ortega was arrested and charged with one count Fighting or Baiting Animals and one count Felony Cruelty to Animals.

Ortega was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.

The investigation continues and further charges are pending.

Booking photo of Ortega