A woman from Chester, New Hampshire, has been sentenced in federal court for her role in illegal cockfighting activities that spanned both New Hampshire and North Carolina. U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announced the sentencing of Jennifer Scott, 42, who received one year of probation and a $2,500 fine from U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrea K. Johnstone.
As part of her probation terms, Scott is barred from owning or raising roosters or chickens. She pleaded guilty in October 2025 to one count of attending an animal fighting venture.
Court documents show that Scott used her property in New Hampshire to raise and train roosters specifically for cockfighting purposes. Authorities found that she transported birds to North Carolina where they were traded and participated in illegal fights. During a search of her property, law enforcement recovered equipment used for training fighting birds—including sparring muffs and aids—along with 76 roosters, 84 hens, 261 juvenile chickens, and an egg incubator.
U.S. Attorney Creegan stated: “The defendant participated in a multistate cockfighting venture and profited from animal cruelty. The conduct was extensive, involving networks of participants at multiple locations in North Carolina, as well as scores of animals. Today’s sentence stands as a warning to those who participate in and fuel the market for this brutal conduct.”
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General with support from several agencies including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Law Enforcement Division, New Hampshire State Police, Massachusetts State Police, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Animal Rescue League of Boston Law Enforcement Division, and Chester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Vicinanzo prosecuted the case.
