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Case ID: 18977
Classification: Theft, Shooting, Mutilation/Torture
Animal: horse
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Attorneys/Judges
Prosecutor(s): David Butler
Defense(s): Michael Lusk
Judge(s): Larry Chandler




Horses stolen, 1 shot and mutilated
Magnolia, AR (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Nov 3, 2011
County: Columbia

Charges: Felony CTA, Felony Non-CTA
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Jaci Rae Jackson

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Jaci Rae Jackson conducted a careful - if not very discreet - reconnaissance of Mulerider Stables before having her mother's boyfriend steal five horses from there on Nov. 3. She later watched as one of the horses, Shaun Smith's Credit Card, was shot and killed.

Those details were made public today in an affidavit supports an arrest warrant for Jackson and others that was announced Monday by Southern Arkansas University officials.


Wray wrote that Jackson had two fellow rodeo students, Luke Ware and Angel Squyers, show her around the stables. Ware told Wray that Jackson took notes regarding the locations of the stalls of where the stolen horses were taken, as well as writing a physical description of the horses. She also counted stalls in the area where the stolen horses were housed.

"Luke Ware also made statements to investigators that Jaci Rae Jackson told him that she knew people who had stolen horses in the past. Angel Squyres told investigators that Jaci Rae Jackson had asked her about the ownership of the horses inside the Mulerider Stables. Squyres states that the horses Jaci Rae Jackson asked about were those taken.

"It was also discovered during the investigation that Jaci Rae Jackson had some form of romantic problems with at least one of the owners of the stolen horses. Jaci Rae Jackson had also told Luke Ware prior to the thefts that some of the owners of the stolen horses 'had made her mad.'"

The affidavit said that a confidential informant came forward to the McCurtain County, Oklahoma, Sheriff's Office on Nov. 7. Jackson contacted the informant on Nov. 5 and asked for help to move the horses.

"The informant told investigators that Jaci Rae Jackson told them that 'Billy screwed it up.' At the time of the phone call, Jaci Rae Jackson told the informant that the horses were in McCurtain County but needed to be moved to another area in the county. While meeting with the informant, investigators were able to determine that the informant furnished relevant details about Jaci Rae Jackson and the alleged theft that satisfied the investigators in showing that the informant was reliable.

"The informant had also recorded another phone conversation that they had with Jaci Rae Jackson. During this recorded conversation, Jackson shared details with the informant regarding the disposal of one of the stolen horses known as Credit Card. She stated to the informant that she wanted the horse killed and that she watched as Credit Card was shot in the head and had its throat slit by William 'Billy' Hamilton."

Hamilton and an identified juvenile cut up the horse for disposal, the affidavit said.

The stolen horse trailer was observed by law enforcement at the home of Jackson's mother, Wendi Cox. It was later recovered on property owned by Jackson's relatives. The horses were located on property adjacent to the residence of Cox. Four of the horses were tied to trees in poor condition, and Credit Card's mutilated remains were also found.

"After checking Jaci Rae Jackson's phone records, Facebook profile as well as talking to witnesses and friends of Jaci Rae Jackson, it was discovered that Jaci Rae Jackson is an associate of William 'Billy' Hamilton and the identified juveniles. William 'Billy' Hamilton is the current boyfriend of Jaci Rae Jackson's mother, Wendi Cox," the affidavit said.

Jackson is a freshman at Southern Arkansas University and a member of the Rodeo Club. She was picked up during a traffic stop on U.S. 82 about 1 p.m. Monday by Arkansas State Police Trooper Seth Pinner.

Eric Plummer, SAU police chief, told a press conference on Monday that more arrests are expected. "Other suspects known to be involved in this case will be brought to justice," Plummer said. He urged anyone who may still have information about the case to contact law enforcement.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney David Butler said at the press conference that Jackson would have her first court appearance on Tuesday, but that appearance has since been moved to Wednesday at the Justice and Detention Facility. After Jackson's first court appearance, Butler will file charges and Jackson will be formally arraigned on December 15.

Butler is also considering a criminal mischief charge against Jackson. He is investigating whether such a charge is appropriate concerning the death of a horse.

Those with information are urged to contact the SAU Police Department at (870) 235-4100, Arkansas State Police Investigator Hays McWhirter at (870) 703-2065, or the McCurtain County Sheriff's Department at (580) 286-3331.


Case Updates

"Not guilty" was the plea entered Wednesday during a first appearance hearing for Jaci Rae Jackson, 19, who is charged with several felony counts relating to the thefts of five horses from the Southern Arkansas University stables on Nov. 3.

Bond had previously been set at $100,000. Circuit Court Judge Larry Chandler told Jackson's attorney, Michael Lusk, that he could file a motion to reduce bond.

Jackson made bond on the Columbia County charges on Wednesday, but remains held at the Justice and Detention Facility pending an extradition hearing to McCurtain County, Oklahoma. Jackson faces charges there of bringing stolen property into the state, concealing stolen property, and cruelty to animals.

Four of the five horses were found on Nov. 15, tied to trees on a farm and almost dead of starvation and dehydration. A fifth horse, Credit Card, owned by SAU student Shaun Smith, was found dead on Nov. 25. The horse had been shot and mutilated, authorities said.

Chandler told Jackson her court date would be set according to the docket.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Ryan Phillips asked the judge for additional conditions to Jackson's bond, including no contact with the victims in the case or presence on the SAU campus.

Jackson, a freshman business major from Broken Bow, Oklahoma, is accused in a law enforcement affidavit of asking a family friend to kill one of the horses, which he did as she watched.

Lusk said Jackson had matters still to clear up with the university and that her former roommate was still in possession of some of her property.

Phillips said arrangements could be made with the SAU Police Department via email to resolve issues with the university and also to return any property.

The majority of the SAU Rodeo Team was in attendance for the hearing Wednesday afternoon, nearly filling one side of the courtroom.

Among them was team coach Rusty Hayes. "We brought the family," he said.

Hayes said outside the courtroom that he and the team were still in a state of disbelief and numbness.

Asked what he hoped team members would learn from this situation, Hayes said he didn't know.

"They're going to be more aware," he said. "Just like the barn, we used to hang out there and didn't think anything. Now you watch, you're more aware of your surroundings. You don't feel as safe as you used to. I'm speaking for them."

"It's kind of like having your house broken into," Hayes added. "You feel violated. It's the same basic thing. It was a barn, but it was our home away from home. We spend a lot of time there."

Hayes said he still shakes his head in disbelief that this happened. "You just don't think somebody that's in the rodeo world or deals with horses could possibly do that to them. It goes against everything we believe. They (the horses) help us perform and perform for us. So their care we don't take lightly."

He added that these horses are like family to these students. He said they probably spend more quality time with their animals than most anyone else.

Also charged in the case in McCurtain County are Mickey Carter and Charles Tremmel. They are not connected with the horse thefts, but are accused of concealing stolen property. They are free on bond.
Source: magnoliareporter.com - Dec 12, 2011
Update posted on Dec 17, 2011 - 10:40PM 

References


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