Federal agents in the US have reportedly arrested a Romanian princess and former sheriff's deputy over an alleged cockfighting ring.
Officials in the state of Oregon have charged Irina Walker, 60, and John Wesley Walker, 67, also her husband, over the hosting of cockfighting derbies and illegal gambling at their ranch.
Prosecutors are looking to seize the ranch, which is located in the riverside town of Irrigon.
Four others were charged with the same offences, while 12 more from the Oregon and Washington areas will face lesser charges of conspiracy to violate the Animal Welfare Act.
'Cockfighting is illegal under federal law and under the laws of all 50 states,' said Amanda Marshall, US attorney for Oregon.
'Besides being a barbaric practice, cockfighting jeopardises public health and safety and facilitates the commission of other criminal act.'
It is said the lucrative derbies could bring in up to $2,000 (£1,280) a day from admission fees, gambling and refreshments.
According to the indictment there were ten different events staged in the year between April 2012 to March 2013.
Irina Walker, who is also known under her first husband's surname Kreuger, is the daughter of the former King of Romania, Michael and his wife Anne.
Michael of Romania is distantly related to Queen Victoria and is a third cousin of Queen Elizabeth II.
- Metro
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