Prosecutors aim to keep money from well-oiled 'chicken fighting' ring

GREENWICH – A man and his father, arrested in May in an investigation into alleged "chicken fighting" here, are reunited as civil defendants as Cumberland County prosecutors move to formally seize more than $180,000 from them.

Jimmy F. Hadden, 47, of the 700 block of Springtown Road, and Jaime R. Ferrer, 71, of the 500 block Springtown Road, are free pending trials in the criminal case. Authorities reported taking $150,455 from Hadden and $29,657 from Ferrer.

Besides taking bets, authorities allege, cockfighting fans had to pony up cover, seating, and other fees. Hundreds of people reportedly attended the fights, held in a township the Census says only has about 800 residents.

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Hadden and Ferrer were arrested in “no knock” search warrant executions on their properties. Each man is facing numerous charges related to betting, animal fighting, drug distribution, and firearm possession.

The filing of criminal charges does not prove a defendant is guilty. It is only an allegation that starts a criminal justice process that may lead to indictment and trial.

The undercover operation was started in March 2021 on a tip from an informant. It involved personnel from New Jersey State Police, N.J. Division of Criminal Justice, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and county Prosecutor’s Office, according to affidavits.

Affidavits describe “large scale and well organized chicken fighting events” involving dozens of chickens regularly taking place at both men’s properties.

“During these events, it was discovered that hundreds of attendees would illegally gamble thousands of dollars, while being able to purchase alcohol and food from (Hadden),” Trooper R. Singleton states in an affidavit. “The investigation further showed that during these chicken fighting events, (Hadden) was distributing large quantities of (drugs), specifically meth and cocaine.”

A lawsuit filed July 20 in Cumberland County Superior Court claims the cash should be forfeited to the state because it was connected to the alleged illegal activities. A Chevrolet Tahoe belonging to Hadden also is eligible for forfeiture, Assistant Prosecutor Andre Araujo states in the filing.

State police reported a total of four handguns and 24 rifles and/or shotguns confiscated in raids on May 14. The drugs reportedly found included steroids.

Affidavits do not disclose whether chickens were seized.

State police said another nearby property, on the 600 block of Springtown Road, was identified as a drug “stash house” for Hadden.

Superior Court Judge Robert Malestein signed the no knock search warrants at the request of state police, who stated they infiltrated multiple fighting events and made multiple drug purchases.

Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey more than 30 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times.

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