Aiken Man Convicted of Cockfighting

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA — Roosevelt Curry, 68, of North Augusta, S.C., was convicted of participating in an animal fighting venture following a multi-day jury trial.   

Evidence presented by the Government at trial in the case established that on March 12, 2022, Curry and others gathered at the property of Michael Roy Limehouse in Ridgeville, S.C. to participate in a cockfighting derby.  Participants paid $400 to enter four birds into the derby.  Some participants, including Curry, put multiple entries into the derby that day.  Once birds were weighed, organizers used a software program to match the birds into fights.  Participants then attached metal gaffes to their birds’ ankles prior to having them fight. 

While the cockfighting derby was taking place, the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office received a tip and responded to the scene.  Officers searched the property and found a barrel containing birds that had been killed in the fights that had taken place so far that day.  They also seized numerous bird transport boxes, metal gaffes and spurs and other items used by participants.  Seven participants in the cockfighting derby, including Curry and Limehouse, were later indicted in United States District Court for their respective roles in the derby. The other six defendants pled guilty prior to Curry’s trial.

United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks presided over the trial and will sentence Curry after receiving and reviewing a pre-sentence report that will be prepared by the United States Probation Office.  Curry faces up to five years imprisonment. He has a previous state court conviction for cockfighting in 2010.

The case was investigated by agents of the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General (USDA OIG) and the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Chris Lietzow and Nick Bianchi are prosecuting the case.

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