PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Six defendants were charged in federal court in connection to an alleged cockfighting ring in Letcher County back in July.

But now that number is down to five, as one of the defendants has asked to change his plea.

Robert Dwayne Baker, who is charged with conspiracy to engage in animal fighting, filed a request Monday to enter a guilty plea. That request was accepted and a hearing will be scheduled later.

Baker was one of six people charged in the case involving the former American Testing Facility, also known as the Whitesburg Chicken Pit. The remaining defendants are currently scheduled to go on trial on Feb. 5, but court records indicate at least some of them are trying to negotiate plea deals with prosecutors.