A 17th Judicial District jury found a Colorado man not guilty on one of two counts of animal cruelty after he was previously accused of operating an illegal cockfighting ring.

Adams County Sheriff’s Department deputies seized 39 birds in July 2024, 32 of them roosters. At the time, authorities said the birds were found to be injured and kept for an alleged illegal cockfighting operation.

Deputies arrested Jesus Orozco on suspicion of illegally mistreating the birds in a small shack on a 35-acre property near 4300 Hudson Road near Watkins. The site is located several miles south of Denver International Airport.

Adams County Sheriff’s Office officials previously said responding deputies described the birds as “modified” under the feet and neck, with some of the birds reportedly injured and bleeding upon being discovered.

All 39 birds taken in the summer of 2024 were put down because of cage housing disputes, a move Orozco and his defense attorneys condemned.

Since his arrest, Orozco has faced two counts of animal cruelty, one misdemeanor and one felony, through 17th Judicial District courts. In August, the jury made no unanimous decision on the felony count, but ruled not guilty on the misdemeanor charge.

The district attorney agreed to a misdemeanor plea bargain, requested by the defense, to resolve the other outstanding count. The lead charge still remains open as Colorado law allows for retrial within 90 days, according to attorneys involved in the case.

For first degree misdemeanor animal cruelty, Orozco was ordered to serve 18 months probation, pay $1,000 in fines and 60 hours of community service. He served one day in jail upon arrest, according to officials.

Animal cruelty groups condemn cockfighting operations, which involve illegal betting on roosters or birds.

In a statement sent by defense attorneys to The Denver Gazette, the defense argued sheriff’s deputies, among other animal experts, found no evidence of malnourishment or mistreatment of the birds.

Attorneys said Orozco arrived as an immigrant about two decades ago and acquired U.S. permanent resident status. His family moved to Dallas, where Orozco graduated high school and then moved to Colorado around 2010. Attorneys said he has no criminal background.

Attorneys said that Orozco and generations of his family proudly raised roosters.

“Jesus always grew up around roosters and chicken farming generally,” the statement said. “He describes it as being in his blood; that his grandfather, then his father and uncle, were always renowned in their community for growing strong, beautiful roosters.”

Orozco also operates a local taco fast food restaurant. Because of his self-employment, he “had the freedom and time to devote to his hobby of raising roosters and so he ended up renting a portion of the subject property on Hudson Street in Aurora,” according to the statement.

“There was no serious attempt to investigate the matter beyond the initial reporting of the code enforcement officers and what little follow up that occured was mishandled at best,” Defense Attorney Ed Ferszt said.

“Beyond the loss of his animals, the stress and burden that Mr. Orozco suffered throughout this ordeal greatly outweighs any conceivable wrongdoing on his part,” Ferszt said. “Given that he was willing to accept responsibility from the beginning, we believe that the ultimate result was fair and just.”