Two men who were previously charged in connection to a cockfighting ring in Laurel County, recently pleaded guilty to federal charges.

 

55-year-old Rickie D. Johnson pleaded guilty in May to conspiring to operate the Bald Rock Chicken Pit in Laurel County. The charge carries a potential five-year prison sentence. He was also charged with conspiring to run the pit with his daughter, 30-year-old Jacklyn R. Johnson, who is a former court bailiff for the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office.

 

47-year-old Hiram B. Creech was initially charged for possessing a rooster for the purpose of entering into a cockfight. The bird is said to have had metal spurs when police arrived at the location of the fights.

 

Creech is said to have also pleaded guilty to causing someone under the age of 16 to attend the fight.