Third Suspect Arrested in Miami-Dade Cockfighting Ring

Authorities arrested Marcia Newark, 70, on Friday in connection with a large-scale cockfighting operation on a 10-acre Miami-Dade property. Newark owns the land where federal agents and local law enforcement discovered thousands of roosters, training rings, and cockfighting equipment.

Newark faces charges including animal cruelty and managing property for animal fighting, according to Miami-Dade jail records. She follows Sergio Ruiz-Osorio, 54, and Carlos Rafael Lezcanowas, 52, arrested earlier on charges of owning or possessing animals for fighting and animal cruelty with intent to injure or kill.

The FBI alerted the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office to the property at 12300 Southwest 51st Street on October 3. Deputies found thousands of roosters, enclosed training rings, vitamins, syringes, and medication associated with cockfighting.

Newark told investigators she subleases the property but claimed no knowledge of roosters being trained there. Subsequent searches revealed additional animals in distress.

On October 4, deputies returned and found two malnourished ponies, one tied without food or water. The next day, they discovered a goat unable to stand with a suspected eye infection, a dead goat, another goat struggling to breathe, and more than three pigs confined in a small corral without adequate space, food, or water. Miami-Dade Animal Services confiscated all animals. Newark acknowledged awareness of the animals' condition.

Deputies found another goat in a trash bag during confiscation. Two rescued goats died after removal. Miami-Dade Animal Services euthanized 3,110 roosters from the property. Newark has posted bond.