Charges handed down in eastern Oklahoma cockfighting ring

SALLISAW, Okla. (AP) -- Seven men who were arrested last weekend in an alleged cockfighting ring have been formally charged.<br/><br/>Noi Xayavongsa, 51, was charged Wednesday with keeping a facility for

Thursday, February 3rd 2005, 6:05 am

By: News On 6

SALLISAW, Okla. (AP) -- Seven men who were arrested last weekend in an alleged cockfighting ring have been formally charged.

Noi Xayavongsa, 51, was charged Wednesday with keeping a facility for cockfighting. Authorities raided a barn north of Muldrow on Saturday, arresting Xayavongsa and six other men who allegedly owned or kept the gamefowl. About $6,000 in cash also was seized, reports show.

A law enforcement officer reported seeing razors that appeared to have blood residue on them, needles and duct tape in the barn, according to a probable-cause affidavit.

The officer said Xayavongsa said the barn was his property and that this was the last time he was fighting chickens because he was moving away, the affidavit read.

The others -- all from Arkansas or Kansas -- were charged with owning, keeping or training the birds, reports show. If convicted, they could be sentenced to as much as 10 years in prison.