Hundreds of illegal cockfighting ring spectators scatter into woods when Texas deputies roll up, 19 arrested

The San Jacinto County Sheriff's Office arrested 19 people on Sunday after uncovering a large-scale cockfighting ring with 300 attendees.

Upon arrival at the scene, a patrol Sergeant and two patrol deputies discovered an illegal cockfighting event with 250 to 300 people in attendance in a covered structure with temporary seating, a kitchen, and a cockfighting arena. 19 arrested in illegal cockfighting ring in San Jacinto County, TX (San Jacinto County Sheriff's Office) Deputies say that over 300 people attended an illegal cockfighting event in San Jacinto County, TX.  (San Jacinto County Sheriff's Office) Deputies say that over 300 people attended an illegal cockfighting event in San Jacinto County, TX.  (San Jacinto County Sheriff's Office) Deputies say that over 300 people attended an illegal cockfighting event in San Jacinto County, TX.  (San Jacinto County Sheriff's Office) Deputies say that over 300 people attended an illegal cockfighting event in San Jacinto County, TX.  (San Jacinto County Sheriff's Office) Deputies say that over 300 people attended an illegal cockfighting event in San Jacinto County, TX.  (San Jacinto County Sheriff's Office) Deputies say that over 300 people attended an illegal cockfighting event in San Jacinto County, TX.  (San Jacinto County Sheriff's Office) Deputies say that over 300 people attended an illegal cockfighting event in San Jacinto County, TX.  (San Jacinto County Sheriff's Office) Deputies say that over 300 people attended an illegal cockfighting event in San Jacinto County, TX.  ( San Jacinto County Sheriff's Office) Deputies say that over 300 people attended an illegal cockfighting event in San Jacinto County, TX.  (San Jacinto County Sheriff's Office)

Deputies were also able to locate various items of gambling paraphernalia including a dry-erase board documenting various "fights/matches" between birds which indicated that some 44 matches/fights had already taken place earlier in the day.