A Waushara County man faces up to 125 years in prison on charges related to breeding and selling roosters to fight.

David W. Janke, 55, of Redgranite, was charged in Waushara County Circuit Court Oct. 23 with 10 counts of keeping an animal with the intent to engage it in fighting and 10 counts of possessing a firearm as a felon. If convicted, he faces 125 years in prison and $325,000 in fines.

The charges were filed after a six-month investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation and the Waushara County Sheriff’s Department. During the investigation, an undercover agent purchased three roosters from Janke for $900. Janke told the agent the birds were conditioned to fight and would perform “great” against other rooster fighting champions.

A search warrant was executed at Janke’s residence, N3816 County Trunk EE, on Oct. 6 and investigators recovered 157 chickens and roosters – including seven adult male roosters - along with feed and transport boxes, leg cuffs, steel shanks used during rooster fighting, rooster fighting schedules and magazines about rooster fighting, breeding and training. Agents also recovered nine firearms from a gun cabinet.

Janke admitted to being at rooster fights in the past, but told investigators he is currently selling the roosters as a hobby for “breeding purposes.”

Janke appeared in Waushara County Circuit Court Tuesday and was released on a $5,000 signature bond. He is due back in court Nov. 6 for a preliminary hearing.