An anonymous tip that was made to the Kentucky State Police over the weekend has resulted in the discovery of an illegal cockfighting operation and the arrest of 15 individuals.

According to Kentucky State Police Post 15 Columbia Public Affairs Officer Billy Gregory, the anonymous tip came in to the post at approximately 10:09 a.m. Sunday.

The tip was in relation to a possible cockfight that was reportedly in progress at that time.

Kentucky State Police Trooper Jason Warinner and Clinton County Sheriff Rick Riddle were dispatched and responded to the location and did, in fact, discover a cockfight in progress when they arrived.

During the investigation, 23 chickens were taken by the Clinton County Animal Control agency and 15 criminal arrests were made.

None of those arrested at the scene were from Clinton County.

The following were all charged with Cruelty to Animals, 2nd Degree and Criminal Trespassing 2nd Degree: 19-year-old Cody Rhule, 23-year-old Eric Rhule, 45-year-old Ricky Rhule, 26-year-old Tabatha Williams, 39-year-old Kenneth Roberts and 31-year-old Stanley Crabtree, all of Monticello, Kentucky, 28-year-old Michael Parker of East Bernstadt, Kentucky, 47-year-old James Davis, Jr. of Edmonton, Kentucky, 20-year-old Kimberly Bridgman of Jacksonville, Illinois, 38-year-old Greg Winchester and 51-year-old Ronald Lawson, both of Glasgow, Kentucky, 44-year-old Tony Gaddie and 25-year-old Christopher Medcalfe, both of Horse Cave, Kentucky, 23-year-old Shawn Abner of London, Kentucky and 45-year-old Johnny Poynter of Cave City, Kentucky.

All were lodged in the Clinton County Jail.

Trooper Gregory told the Clinton County News that it was anticipated that more charges would be forthcoming as the investigation is ongoing.

He also noted that at this point in the investigation, the identity of the individual or individuals who were acting as the host(s) for the illegal cockfight was also still under investigation.