Round Lake Beach couple admits running dogfighting operation

A Round Lake Beach couple accused of running a dogfighting operation out of their home pleaded guilty Tuesday in Lake County circuit court.

Moises Colon, 35, faces up to three years in prison but will also be eligible for probation when he returns to court Dec. 16 to be sentenced for felony dogfighting.

Estella Gonzalez, 25, was placed on probation for two years after pleading guilty to misdemeanor attempted dog fighting.

Assistant State's Attorney Scott Hoffert said Round Lake Beach police brought a search warrant to the couple's home in the 1600 block of Poplar Avenue on Sept. 11, 2008.

They found 27 pit bulls kenneled in the garage, manuals on dog fighting and equipment used to train dogs for fighting.

The couple was also ordered to pay $6,675 to the Round Lake Beach Police Department for the cost of kenneling the dogs.

Hoffert said Colon admitted that he was the person most responsible for the dogfighting operation and asked that authorities reduce the charge against Gonzalez.

Gonzalez was also ordered to make a $1,000 donation to Lake County Crime Stoppers and to perform 100 hours of community service as part of her sentence.