An Oregon man who illegally imported and resold more than $200,000 worth of performance-enhancing drugs for cockfighting roosters across the United States was sentenced Wednesday to federal probation.
Fernando Israel Uruttia Arce, 45, of Independence, must serve three years of probation and was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of interstate receipt and sale of misbranded drugs.
He imported the drugs through his business called VIP Gamefowl Supplies LLC from 2019 to 2022, according to court records.
Through the company, he sold drugs that promised to increase a rooster’s energy and muscle building, make a fighting cock 10 times stronger, help with their digestive system and make their hair “shiny and flawless,” according to its social media advertisements.
None of the drugs had been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use or sale within the United States and were purchased from people in the Philippines and other foreign countries, according to a sentencing memo.
Arce advertised the drugs on his company’s Facebook and Instagram accounts, which featured more than 3,000 images and posts related to animal-fighting paraphernalia.
He accepted more than $213,000 in payments using PayPal, CashApp and Zelle accounts and then shipped the products from his Oregon home to customers across the country.
“I’m very remorseful because it has caused me more problems than I ever could have imagined,” Arce told U.S. District Judge Michael W. Mosman.
Defense lawyer Kevin T. Lafky said Arce’s crime wasn’t one of violence but driven by his need to support his family. He is a father of two sons.
At the time, his wife was battling bone cancer, which required significant financial support, Lafky said. He’s accepted responsibility, has no criminal history and has fully cooperated with investigators , Lafky said.
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