The host of an alleged finch-fighting ring in Shelton made a brief appearance in Superior Court in Derby Thursday, where his case was continued until Dec. 29.
Jurames Goulart was charged July 26 with illegal gambling, cruelty to animals and interfering with police after officers raided his Ripton Road house during an investigation into allegations of bird fighting.
Police say Goulart had finches fight each other and organized a betting operation around the matches.
Shelton police raided the house just before a match was about to begin. Eighteen other men — the audience — were arrested as well. A copy of the search warrant police used to enter the house is posted below.
Two of the men were handed over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, then kicked out of the U.S.
Police allegedly found 150 finches in Goulart’s house.
The birds were cared for at an area animal shelter until they were found homes in zoos outside the state.
At Thursday’s court appearance, Goulart’s lawyer, John Goulash of Bridgeport, said he had gathered information requested by prosecutors — but did not indicate what information prosecutors wanted.
Goulart stood with his lawyer, but didn’t address the court.
