PINON HILLS, CA – A 30-year-old man was arrested after investigators uncovered evidence of cockfighting and illegal firearms during a search warrant in Pinon Hills.
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department, investigators with the Rural Crimes Task Force served a warrant on September 24, 2025, at a residence in the 11500 block of Pinon Hills Road as part of an ongoing animal cruelty investigation.
During the search, investigators located 35 game cocks believed to have been used in illegal cockfighting. At least one bird had injuries consistent with recent fighting. Items commonly associated with cockfighting were also recovered. In addition, investigators seized multiple firearms, including three AK-47 style rifles determined to be noncompliant with California law.
The suspect, identified as Jorge Castaneda, a 30-year-old resident of Pinon Hills, was taken into custody without incident and booked into the High Desert Detention Center.
The Sheriff’s Department stated that cockfighting is illegal in the United States and considered a serious offense under California law.
Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact the Victor Valley Station at (760) 552-6800 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 956-5001. Anonymous tips can be submitted to the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or at www.wetip.com.
