Two men charged with Mustang killings in NV change plea to guilty

Wild Horse Shootings Spur International Outcry

Reno, NV (June 16, 2010)—The Cloud Foundation has learned that Todd Davis and Joshua Keathley changed their pleas this morning from not guilty to guilty, waiving their planned trial in the case of shooting five free-roaming horses in northwestern Nevada (about 40 miles southeast of Cedarville, California). The pleas were made in Federal Court in Reno before US Magistrate Judge Robert McQuaid.

“We feel justice has been served at this point,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Sue Fahami told The Associated Press. She added that she and U.S. Attorney Dan Bogden combined received a total of approximately 24,000 e-mails and letters from around the world.

When asked to describe the morning the shootings took place, Keathley explained: “we was out early in North Washoe and seen them wild horses and killed a few of them and then we left.” Davis gave a similar account of the events, adding that the two had been drinking and looking for a place to set traps when they spotted a band of eight to ten mustangs. Keathley and Davis are represented by Tom Plimpton (retained) and John Springgate (CJA) respectively.

“We used poor judgment and shot a few of them.” Davis said.

Davis and Keathley will remain free on bail, while their firearms remain in the custody of a county sheriff until sentencing Sept. 14, 2010 at 2 pm.

“Davis and Keathley admitted using public lands as their private shooting gallery, and to gathering their spent shells,” said Terri Farley, author of the Phantom Stallion series of books, and a wild horse advocate, “They knew it was illegal to kill America’s wild horses on public lands, but they didn’t care.”

The maximum sentence for maliciously causing the death and abetting the death and harassment of five wild horses is one year in county jail and a fine of $100,000. There is no possibility of parole.

“We commend Nevada State law enforcement and BLM law enforcement for apprehending these wild horse killers and we applaud the apparent willingness of prosecute to ask for the maximum penalties provided for under the law,” stated Cloud Foundation Director Ginger Kathrens. “The public loves their wild horses. It is an understatement to say we are outraged at this horrible act.”

Fahimi gave a fuller description of the November events, indicated that the two stopped driving when they saw the backs of horses. Keathley, shot first. “A light-colored horse went down,” Fahimi said, and then Keathley handed the AR-15 rifle to Davis. “Davis began shooting at the others”

Five horses lay dying while Keathley picked up 8-10 spent ammunition casings.

Source: The Cloud Foundation Press Release