A 13-month investigation by federal and state investigators resulted last week in federal indictments against 21 people allegedly involved in cockfighting.

Among the defendants caught up in the probe was a local resident, Leslie Wayne Peeler, 41, of Gaffney, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for South Carolina.

Federal prosecutors said in announcing the charges that the fights were staged in two locations in Lexington County and Williamsburg County.

The indictments were the result of a 13-month undercover investigation, during which the U.S. Attorneys Office said officers attended eight cockfighting derbies held near Swansea in Lexington County and near Oceida in Williamsburg County.

The 21 people were charged in indictments based on where the alleged offenses occurred.

Leslie Wayne Peeler was named along with 10 other people for alleged unlawful cockfighting activity in Lexington County.

The indictments allege that the defendants operated an unlawful animal fighting venture and an illegal gambling business, and that they conspired to violate the Animal Welfare Act by staging or participating in cockfighting contests, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

The cases were investigated by officers of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan S. Williams of the Columbia office is prosecuting the cases. The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office is assisting in the investigation and prosecution.

Kevin McDonald of the U.S. Attorneys Office for South Carolina said Friday that none of the 21 defendants had appeared in court yet for their initial appearances. He expected they would start making appearances in court this week.

The investigation began in April 2008 and concluded with searches of the properties in June, McDonald said.

Charged in one indictment for alleged criminal conduct in Lexington County were Nancy Elizabeth Dial, age 52, of North, and Sheri M. Hutto, age 48, and Wayne Hugh Hutto, age 60, both of Pelion.

A second indictment, also for alleged activity in Lexington County, was issued against Michael Monroe Grooms, age 54, of Gilbert; Michael T. Rodgers, age 57, of Kingstree; Jeffrey Brian Gibert, age 38, of Ninety Six; Gerald Benfield, age 57, of York; Johnny Junior Harrison, age 35, of Aiken; John Carlton Thurman Hoover, age 39, of Pelion; Coy Dale Robinson, age 31, of Blackstock; Scott Edward Lawson, age 41, of Laurens; Jimmie Jesse Hicks, age 23, of Swansea; and George William Kelly, age 44, of Kershaw.

A third Indictment alleging cockfighting in Williamsburg County charged Roy Wilson Braddock, age 51, and Mary Durden Braddock, age 55, both of Hollywood; Jonathan Leviner, age 38, of Sumter; David Earl Davis, age 45, and Buster Dale Moore, age 61, both of Andrews; Wade Timmons Mcgee, age 34, of Scranton; and Charles E. Allbritton, age 66, of Mt. Pleasant.

The maximum penalty for conspiracy, operating an unlawful animal fighting venture, and operating an illegal gambling business is five years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.00 on each charge.