When police raided the New Ranchi Bar in Paterson, New Jersey, they arrest both the owner and the bartender. In the basement of the bar, they found three live roosters and cockfighting apparel, along with gambling records. It was evident there was a cockfighting ring running at that location. In addition to all that evidence, police also found 21 grams of crack-cocaine and eight Endocet pills in a jacket found at the bar.
Cesar Toribio, 43, the bartender, and Felix Grullon, 50, the owner, were both indicted with maintaining a gambling resort, possession of gambling records and devices, drug charges and promoting gambling.
Though the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) was contacted, no animal cruelty charges could be pressed for the alleged cockfighting.
The police obtained a warrant to search Toribio’s home where they found a .45 caliber handgun. Therefore, he was also charged with permit-less possession of a handgun. Because he was also found with 4 baggies of cocaine he was charged with intent to distribute given the bar’s proximity to New Roberto Clemente School.
Toribio was represented by defense attorney Ron Bar-Nadav who secured him the Pre-Trial Intervention program for three years. The charge could be dismissed and thereafter expunged if the probationary term is served without any new arrests and successful completion of the PTI terms and conditions.
Tags: Passaic County, Gambling, Weapons Possession
