BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A Mexican national was sentenced Monday to eight years and one month in prison for his involvement in drug trafficking in Bakersfield and the illegal possession of cockfighting animals, the US Department of Justice said.

According to court documents, Jorge Calderon-Campos, aka “Americano,” 42, a Mexican national living in Bakersfield, was involved in a 60-pound meth deal with co-defendants Byron Adilio Alfaro-Sandoval, Francisco Javier Torres Mora, 31, a Mexican national, and Alberto Gomez-Santiago, 39, a Mexican national, 47, of Bakersfield.

Additionally, on January 27, 2022, Calderon received more than two kilograms of heroin from co-defendant Jose Angel Beltran-Chaidez, 68, a Mexican citizen, after Calderon negotiated with Beltran’s brother and co-defendant, Antonio Beltran-Chaidez, 54, also. Mexican citizen.

Each of the drug transactions took place in Bakersfield, the DOJ said.

Between January 16, 2022 and April 26, 2022, Calderon possessed fighting birds to later engage them in animal fighting, in violation of the Animal Welfare Act.

In a search of his home on April 26, 2022, officers said they found several hens for raising hunting and fighting cocks, various fighting tools including razors/spurs and six cockfighting trophies. Several were found with plates inscribed with “Team Amkno” (short for “Team Americano”).

In a separate house where co-defendant Horacio Ortega-Martinez, 38, a Mexican national, lived and where Calderon kept drugs and some of his birds, officers said they found the following:

• About 250 roosters fight
• About 250 “Mexican slashers” or knives used for cockfighting
• Training gloves commonly used for training and cockfighting
• Various antibiotics, vitamins and supplements commonly used to raise and train roosters for fighting

The Justice Department said six of the defendants entered guilty pleas, including:

Jose Beltran-Chaidez is scheduled to be sentenced on December 2, 2024. Mark Garcia, is scheduled to be sentenced on February 3, 2024.

Charges are pending against Alfaro-Sandoval, who is scheduled to go to trial on January 28, 2025.

Allegations are just allegations; he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.