WHITESBURG, Ky. — A federal grand jury has indicted six people in connection with a Letcher County cockfighting operation.

According to the indictment, Robert Dwayne Baker operated the American Testing Facility, commonly known as the Whitesburg Chicken Pit.

The indictment alleges Baker conspired with Georgia residents Virgil Saylor and Tina Miller to hold weekly cockfights, while Brandon Honeycutt worked as a referee. All four are now charged with conspiracy, which is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Baker and Honeycutt are also charged with animal fighting, along with Eastern Kentucky resident Chris Prater and Tennessee resident Henry Locke. That charge carries a potential three-year sentence.

All six have been ordered to appear in court Aug. 1.