Arrest made in Southern Arkansas University stolen horse case
An SAU student is allegedly an accomplice in the theft of five horses and the death of one.
6-Dec-11
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Credit Card, a registered Quarter Horse owned by SAU Rodeo team president Shaun Smith, was found dead on Nov. 25, 2011. Photo: NetPosse.com
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A disturbing breakthrough has been made in the investigation into the theft of five Southern Arkansas University rodeo horses, including one that was found dead. SAU freshman Jaci Rae Jackson was arrested on six felony theft charges. She is also being held on felony charges of bringing stolen property into Oklahoma, concealing stolen property and cruelty to animals. Jackson was a member of the SAU rodeo team.
The five horses were stolen, along with an aluminum trailer and several items of tack, early in the morning of Nov. 3. The trailer and tack was found that evening near the Arkansas/Oklahoma border, but the horses were nowhere to be found. Four of the five horses were found tied in a wooded area on Nov. 15, emaciated but alive. The fifth horse, a sorrel named Credit Card, was not with them.
On Nov. 25, Credit Card’s remains were found in the area near where the other horses had been recovered. According to an affidavit for Jackson’s arrest, she told an informant in a recorded conversation that she had wanted Credit Card killed, and her mother’s boyfriend shot the horse.
Authorities have not released a motive for the crimes, the affidavit states that Jackson had "romanitc problems" with one of the horse's owners and that she had told an unnamed source that some of the horses' owners "had made her mad."
Two other arrest warrants have been issued, but police are not releasing the names of the suspects as they are still searching for them.
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Arrest made in Southern Arkansas University stolen horse case