Fulton County family members face cock fighting, drug, weapons charges

Clockwise from top left, Arthur Harvey, Wayne D. Harvey, Wayne A. Harvey and Wayne J. Harvey

Four family members were arrested Thursday after a lengthy investigation revealed they were engaged in cock fighting, and possessed a large amount of marijuana and illegal fire arms, according to a state police release issued today.

A search warrant was obtained and executed Thursday at the Bleecker family’s residence at 1284 County Route 125. Seventy-one roosters were discovered and turned over to the Humane Society, which was integral to the investigation.

Also discovered during the search were 40 pounds of marijuana, 12 illegally held long guns, an illegally possessed hand gun and thousands of dollars in currency, state police said.

All four men lived at and operated the bird fighting enterprise from the same address. Officials said it’s not unusual to find illegally possessed guns and drugs alongside animal fighting operations.

Police charged Wayne D. Harvey Sr., 61, with first-degree criminal possession of marijuana and permitting animal fighting, both felonies. They also charged him with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and unlawfully growing cannabis, both misdemeanors.

Wayne A. Harvey Jr., 41, was charged with permitting animal fighting, a felony; fourth-degree possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, a misdemeanor; and unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation.

Wayne J. Harvey, 19, was charged with misdemeanor fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and the violation of unlawful possession of marijuana.

Arthur J. Harvey, 66, was charged with misdemeanor fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and the violation of unlawful possession of marijuana.

Wayne D. Harvey Sr. and Wayne A. Harvey Jr. were arraigned before a judge and remanded to Fulton County Jail in lieu of bail. Harvey Sr. is in on $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond. Harvey Jr. is being held on $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond.

Wayne J. Harvey and Arthur Harvey were both issued appearance tickets to appear in Bleecker Town Court at a later date.

State police in Fonda held a news conference this morning detailing the investigation. They were assisted by members of the Fulton County Drug Task Force, Gloversville Police Department and The Humane Society of the United States, based out of Washington D.C.