Miami Horse Poaching

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Miami Horse Poaching: Arrest, Criminal Charges Made by: Pat Raia September 17 2009, Article # 14925 A Florida man faces multiple criminal charges in connection with two horse poaching incidents including the death of a horse in Miami Gardens butchered for its meat. The horse was discovered in dead and mutilated in its paddock on Sept. 9. The killing was among 20 similar incidents currently under investigation. Since January, the butchered remains of at least 17 horses have been found in Miami-Dade County. In May, two horses were discovered dead and mutilated in a field in nearby Miramar. Luis Miguel Cordero, 18, confessed to the Miami Gardens incident after Miami-Dade Police arrested him in the pasture of a Northwest Miami-Dade County ranch on Sept. 15. Police learned of the poaching attempt when a neighbor called the Crime Stoppers line to report that Cordero planned to kill and butcher the horses and sell their meat.

Cordero faces charges of conspiracy to commit armed burglary, attempted armed burglary, and possession of burglary tools for the planned poaching. He faces charges of armed burglary, animal cruelty, intentionally roping the legs of a horse, and killing a registered breed horse in connection with the Miami Gardens killing. He remains in Miami-Dade County jail pending a bond hearing. Police are investigating a possible link between Cordero and other poaching incidents still under investigation. "But at this time there is no connection between these and the other cases. Horse owners should still do what they can to keep their horses safe," said Miami-Dade Police Public Information Officer Det. Edna Hernandez. A $20,000 reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the horse poaching incidents. Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at 305/471-8477 or 866/471-8477. All calls are confidential

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