Romanian Princess Arrested For Alleged Cockfighting Ring
A Romanian princess was arrested in Oregon during an apparent cockfighting bust. The woman, along with her former sheriff’s deputy husband, were among 20 people rounded up in the federal investigation.
The arrests were made on Thursday in connection with the alleged cockfighting ring. Indictments unsealed in US District Court show the princess and her husband apparently hosted cockfighting derbies.
Irina Walker, also known as Irina Kreuger, is a daughter of the last king of Romania, reports USA Today. Her husband, John Wesley Walker, was a sheriff’s deputy from 1998 until 2003.
The pair allegedly hosted the derbies and also had illegal gambling at their ranch near Irrigon, Oregon. Federal prosecutors are seeking the forfeiture of the ranch, which is listed in incorporation records as Stokes Landing Sport horses.
However, the Romanian princess, her husband, and four other people from the small town will be arraigned in Portland federal court on Friday. The charges include operating an illegal gambling business.
Twelve other people associated with the ranch are facing smaller charges of conspiracy to violate the Animal Welfare Act through illegal animal fighting. They will be arraigned in Portland, as well as Yakima, Washington, notes ABC News
The indictment alleges that the Romanian princess and her husband hosted 10 cockfighting derbies at their ranch between April 2012 and April 2013. The derbies brought in up to $2,000 per day. Blades were attached to the roosters’ legs and spectators were charged for admission.
They also sold food and drink for the events. Princess Irina of Romania is the third daughter of the former King of Romania, Michael, and his wife Anne. She first married John Kreuger in Arizona and divorced in 2003. She then married Walker in 2007 in Nevada.
The now-exiled king and queen attended the baptism of Princess Irina’s daughter in 1987. There is no lawyer listed for the arrested Romanian princess, her husband, or the other defendants.
[Image via ShutterStock]
