Arrest Made In Fayette County Horse Shooting Includes Game Violations

An arrest has been made in the Fayette County horse shooting. Jeremy Ryan Richardson, 17, of Fayette County, was arrested Jan. 7 on 14 counts of game-and-fish violations, in addition to an aggravated cruelty to animals charge for shooting a Fayette County horse on Jan. 3 with three arrows.

“He actually came in to speak to us,” said Brent Rowan, an investigator with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office. “He did not disclose anything. He actually asked for an attorney. Based on the evidence we already had, based on the investigation we already had going, we were able to take him into custody.”

On Monday, GONetwork, along with several other organizations and concerned citizens, collected $8,000 in reward money for information that would aid with an arrest.

“Nobody is going to be collecting on that,” said Rowan. “The investigator assigned to the case was able to track down some leads, which lead to his arrest.”

The Fayette County horse, belonging to Ralph and Nancy Padovano on Banks Town Road, was arrowed in the middle-spine area, the neck and just below the right eye with arrows equipped with broadheads. The horse is currently recovering.

Richardson, a Whitewater High School student, was also charged with a host of game-and-fish violations.

“After speaking to him we were able to add additional charges, which included six counts of failure to record deer harvest, six counts of unlawful possession of or use of wildlife; basically, he possessed the deer after he killed them illegally,” said Rowan. “Then one count of hunting deer at night and one count of hunting deer over bait.”

The 14 counts of game-and-fish violations are misdemeanors, but the aggravated cruelty to animals charge for shooting the horse is a felony, which carries a minimum of one year in prison.

“Today (Jan. 8) he should be up for preliminary hearing, at which time the judge will set him a bond,” said Rowan.