Horses discovered dead, more found neglected - Jerseyville, IL

Monday, Feb 28, 2011

County: Greene

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Stacey L. Kempf

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Authorities filed 30 criminal complaints Monday against a 41-year-old Jerseyville woman in connection with the death or neglect of horses on property she owns in Greene County.

In a news release issued Monday, Greene County Sheriff Rob McMillen said Stacey L. Kempf, of the 200 block of Oakwood Street, Jerseyville, was arrested without incident about 10 a.m. Monday at the Greene County Sheriff's Department in Carrollton.

Kempf was arrested on a warrant after Greene County State's Attorney Matthew Goetten filed the 30 counts against her in Greene County Circuit Court.

The 30 criminal misdemeanor counts against Kempf include nine counts of violations of the Dead Animal Act, nine counts of cruel treatment to animals and 12 counts of failure or neglect of "owner's duties."

Bail was set at $15,000. Kempf was booked into the Greene County Jail and later was released after posting $1,500 as bond. A court appearance has been set for 1:15 p.m. Monday, April 4.

Chief Deputy Cale Hoesman said Monday that the charges stem from photographs of nine dead horses on the Kempf property provided by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, which, in conjunction with the Sheriff's Department, handled the investigation.

On Monday, Hoesman said Kempf brought some documents to the Sheriff's Department in Carrollton, at which time she was placed under arrest.

Jeff Squibb, a spokesman for the Department of Agriculture, said Monday that the remaining horses on the Kempf property in rural Roodhouse were being monitored twice a day under the direction of the Sheriff's Department and the Agriculture Department. Neighbors said about 20 horses remained.

"While we are under the understanding that the owner of the horses is willing to give up custody of the animals, we are not aware if the documentation is complete to do so," Squibb said.

The nine Class C criminal misdemeanor counts allege that on or about Feb. 28, Kempf failed to properly dispose of the carcasses of the nine horses within 24 hours of their deaths. The nine Class A criminal misdemeanor counts allege Kempf, between Dec. 1, 2010, and Feb. 28, starved or otherwise abused the animals. The 12 Class B criminal misdemeanor counts of "owner's duties" contend Kempf failed to provide sufficient quantity of good-quality, wholesome food and water and veterinary care for those 12 animals described in the counts.

Under Illinois law, a Class A misdemeanor can result in up to one year in jail and a fine up to $2,500; for Class B misdemeanors, conviction can result in up to six months in jail and a fine up to $1,500; and for Class C misdemeanors, a conviction or guilty plea can result in up to 30 days in jail and a fine up to $1,500.

Under Illinois law, while there are maximum penalties for each class of misdemeanor, upon a finding of guilty after a trial or after a plea of guilty, the judge has a range of sentencing options that include court supervision, conditional discharge and probation.

The investigation began last month after LaNise and Scott Kirk went to look at Kempf's property near Roodhouse because they had heard it was for sale. They reported conditions at the property to Steve Alexander of the Central Illinois Horse Rescue Society, who turned it over to the Department of Agriculture. Concerned that no action apparently had been taken to remove the horses or get proper medical treatment for them, the Kirks contacted the Sheriff's Department the first week of March.

Agriculture Department officials said that once they were aware of the problems, they saw that the animals got food, water and veterinary care on site.

While the investigation was underway, calls to the Telegraph bemoaned the apparent lag time in getting the investigative report completed and the owner of the horses charged.

In an e-mail last Thursday, Goetten wrote, "Due to the numerous horses involved and disparity of conditions of those horses, this is a complex charging matter."

In that e-mail, Goetten said he understood the interest in the case and the concern for what some believed was "a slow law enforcement response."

"I can assure you that the Greene County sheriff and his department have been aggressively investigating this matter from the beginning," Goetten said. "I can further assure you that an independent guardian has been actively involved in the care of the surviving horses from the time the sheriff was made aware of this situation."

Goetten's release said the remaining horses were being monitored twice a day and still were on the Kempf property in rural Roodhouse.

"Food, water and proper vet care have been and will continue to be provided until these horses can be placed in foster care facilities," Goetten said. "I have been encouraged by the outpouring of support by local farmers and concerned citizens, a support these horses will continue to require throughout the process. Fortunately, I know I can continue to count on community support for donation of time, food, money and care."

The state's attorney said people who want to assist with caring for the horses are encouraged to visit

Case Updates

The woman at the center of a horse neglect case in Greene County has agreed to give up horses that survived conditions blamed for the deaths of at least 13 others. Greene County State's Attorney Matthew Goetten said Stacey Kempf, 41, of Jerseyville, who is charged with 30 criminal counts in connection with the deaths and neglect of horses on her Greene County property, has relinquished ownership of the 26 remaining horses. In a news release issued Wednesday, Goetten said he met March 17 with Kempf and representatives from the Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Central Illinois Horse Rescue. During that meeting, Kempf relinquished ownership of the surviving 26 horses to the Central Illinois Horse Rescue, eliminating the need for forfeiture proceedings to be filed by Goetten's office and expediting the adoption process. "With the assistance of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the Central Illinois Horse Rescue developed a plan to move all of the horses to pre-approved adoptive placements," Goetten said in the release. "The plan provides for the immediate removal of those horses requiring the most care (foals, pregnant mares and old horses). The majority of the horses are healthy and will remain on the property until placements can be approved and proper veterinary testing completed. However, the daily care of the horses is solely the responsibility of the Central Illinois Horse Rescue under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture." Goetten said citizens interested in adopting a horse are encouraged to visit Kempf posted $1,500 bail and was released after her arrest and has a first appearance scheduled April 4 in Greene County Circuit Court.

Source: thetelegraph.com - March 23, 2010 Update posted on Mar 25, 2011 - 11:40PM

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