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Five horses stolen from SAU stables
Search on for stolen horses
SAU investigators say five horses, a trailer and other riding equipment were taken sometime between 10:30 p.m. Wednesday and 6:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 3rd, 2011.
The horses are owned by SAU students who are members of the university's nationally competitive rodeo team.
The horses are team and calf roping horses. -
Stolen trailer found in Tom, OK
Search continues for stolen horses A livestock trailer, believed to have been stolen along with the horses and other equipment is found in Tom, Oklahoma. The stolen horses include a 16-year-old black American Quarter horse, a 7-year-old gray American Quarter horse, a 14-year-old buckskin Quarter horse, 15-year-old chestnut Quarter horse and a 12-year-old black Quarter horse. -
Search continues
Search continues for stolen SAU horses The search continues for five horses believed to have been stolen from Southern Arkansas University on November 2nd.
SAU Rodeo releases pictures of the horses and their riders. "We are doing everything we can to locate these valuable and loved horses," said Dr. David Rankin, SAU President. -
More stolen items recovered
[ More stolen items are recovered, horses remain missing](http://www.ksla.com/story/16019433/update-more-stolen-items-from-sau-recovered-search-continues-for-five-horses) Saddles, blankets and other tack are recovered. Grey, Badger, Lena, Credit Card, and Black Mare remain missing. -
Four horses recovered
UPDATE: Four horses recovered, search continues for one SAU Police Chief Eric Plummer says he was notified at approximately 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15th by McCurtain County, OK Sheriff Johnny Tadlock that SAU Rodeo Coach Rusty Hayes had located the four horses in a wooded area near Tom, Oklahoma. No one was with the horses when they were found. -
Remains of 5th horse found
Credit Card's remains found
Just more than three weeks after the horses were stolen, the mutilated remains of the final missing horse were recovered in Oklahoma.
The remains of "Credit Card," a 15-year-old sorrel gelding, were found with the help of an SAU student and the school's rodeo coach -
Memorial held for Credit Card
Memorial held for Credit Card A ceremony was held on the Smith family property in Emmet, AR for Credit Card. "I just ask them why because there is not really anything that could have added up to what they did but I just don't know why they did it," said West, who also partnered with Credit Card in rodeo competitions. -
Arrest warrant signed
An arrest affidavitis signed by a Columbia County judge, detailing the evidence SAU investigators have gathered showing what they believe to be probable cause for Jaci Rae Jackson's arrest on six counts of theft of property. -
Jaci Rae Jackson arrested
Jackson is arrested, one day before her 19th birthday, and charged in Columbia County, AR with six felony counts of theft of property. The affidavit for her arrest
indicates it was all planned out in advance, and points to a romance turned sour with one of the horse's owners as a possible motive for wanting the horse killed. -
Two more arrested in horse thefts
Hours after Jacie Rae Jackson was arrested, McCurtain Co.,OK deputies arrest Mickey Carter and Charles Tremmel. Each are charged with possession of stolen things. They are not facing charges related to the actual theft of the horses. -
Reward fund created
A reward fund created initially to help find the SAU horse thieves has since evolved into a fund to replace Credit Card, and then ultimately into a scholarship fund for SAU Rodeo students. -
Jackson's 1st court appearance
The former SAU student was shackled and cuffed as she was escorted into the Columbia County, AR courtroom for her first hearing, which was packed with members of the rodeo community and under extra security. "All I can say is I maintain that my client is not guilty of what she's been accused of and we intend to show that," said attorney, Mike Lusk. -
Jackson waives extradition
Jaci Rae Jackson, now 19, waives extradition to McCurtain Co., OK. Jackson had paid the $100,000 bond on the charges against her in Columbia Co., AR, but a hold remained for her in McCurtain County, where she faces three additional charges, including animal cruelty. The bond for the charges in McCurtain County was set at $50,000. -
Jackson posts bail in OK
Jackson posts a $50,000 bond in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, where she faces charges of transporting stolen property into the state, concealing stolen property and cruelty to animals. Jackson also faces six felony counts of stolen property in Arkansas. -
JRJ & mother charged with arson
One day after Jaci Jackson bonded out of jail on felony theft and animal cruelty charges in connection with the theft of five horses from Southern Arkansas University rodeo students, her mother lands behind bars and <a href=http://www.ksla.com/story/16343655/jaci-jacksons-mother-arrested-both-charged-with-arson' > both are charged with arson</a> in an unrelated case that investigators say was uncovered in the course of the horse theft investigation. -
SAU Police name 'person of interest'
Authorities announce they are seeking 'person of interest' in connection with the case. William Hamilton, also known as Billy Mitchell, is named in witness statements as the one who allegedly killed "Credit Card" and helped steal the trailer that was taken with the horse. -
"No deal" for JRJ
McCurtain Co. DA: No deal for Jaci Rae Jackson
On the date of what was supposed to be a preliminary hearing for Jackson, County District Attorney Mark Matloff says he spoke with Jackson's attorney, and let them know they were not going to offer a plea agreement. Matloff says he's going to let a jury decide what to do with Jackson. -
"Credit Card" saga plays out on CMT
Shaun was out of town, shooting a reality dating show on CMT called Sweet Home Alabama, when his horse was stolen. He returned home briefly, but was back in Alabama when he got the heartbreaking news. The drama plays out in this episode. -
Preliminary hearing
A preliminary hearing has been set for this date in McCurtain County Court, and will deal with both the theft and cruelty charges, as well as the arson charges Jackson and her mother are facing in a separate case. In a preliminary hearing, the court decides whether there is enough probable cause to take a case to trial.
