Alleged Montana Horse Abuser, Thomas Jessberger, Caught in Florida. Ran Rocky Acres Horse Rescue which was really a death camp for horses

MONTANA -- A man wanted for allegedly maltreating more than two dozen horses seized from a Montana equine rescue has been caught in Florida after nearly a year on the run.

Last year the Broadwater County, Montana, Sheriff's Office received several calls alleging that horses at Rocky Acres Horse Rescue, in Townsend, were malnourished and had insufficient access to hay and water.

 

 



Sheriff's personnel subsequently requested a voluntary inspection of conditions of the premises and animals residing there. Rescue owners Dalene Ann Rindal and Thomas William Jessberger declined a voluntary inspection at that time.

Later, acting on a warrant, investigators found moldy had and insufficient shelter for the horses. A veterinarian also found that the majority of the horses scored between 1 and 3 on the Henneke Body Condition scale; three horses scored 4 on the scale. The Broadwater Sheriff's Office then seized 29 allegedly malnourished horses and five malnourished goats, affidavits said.

 

 

Another investigation revealed the carcass of an allegedly malnourished mare buried on the property. Broadwater County Undersheriff Wynn Meehan said carcasses of other dead horses were also found on that property.

“At that time we also had a warrant to seize the rescue's computers,” Meehan said.

In April 2014, warrants were issued for both Rindal and Jessberger. Each was charged with one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty and 35 counts of felony animal cruelty. Meehan said that while Rindal appeared for subsequent court dates, Jessberger fled the state.

“He was in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and California, where he is wanted for trying to get a job at another horse rescue,” Meehan said. Jessberger is also wanted for in California for allegedly stealing $10,000 worth of equestrian equipment, Meehan said.

On March 2, Ocala, Florida, law enforcement personnel arrested Jessberger on a Montana warrant.

 

“It's ironic that a guy who is accused of cruelty to horses was caught in the horse capital of the world,” Meehan said.

Jessberger was unavailable for comment.

Meehan said Jessberger has waived his extradition rights.

“As soon as we get the paperwork finished, we'll work on bringing him back to Montana,” Meehan said.

The case against Jessberger remains pending.

(TheHorse.com - March 7, 2015)

Earlier:

• Rocky Acres animal cruelty case moves forward