Cockfighting Charges Dismissed Against Former Marshal

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A federal judge is dismissing cockfighting charges filed against a former federal marshal. <br/><br/>Former Marshal Bill Tsoodle was charged with a felony of providing equipment or

Thursday, October 12th 2006, 12:46 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A federal judge is dismissing cockfighting charges filed against a former federal marshal.

Former Marshal Bill Tsoodle was charged with a felony of providing equipment or an area for cockfighting but the judge says prosecutors don't have enough evidence to take the case to trial. Tsoodle's lawyer says there is no proof Tsoodle knew about the operation.

Tsoodle was charged with his nephew _ Shan Gachot _ and Michael Daugherty after federal agents raided property Tsoodle owns an interest in near Carnegie.

The charge against Tsoodle was dismissed after Gachot testified during a hearing that Tsoodle opposes cockfighting.

Gachot pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of running an illegal gambling operation and Daugherty pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of sponsoring a fighting cock.