I don’t know why this story has affected me so much. Maybe it’s because I am so softhearted when it comes to animals. Maybe it’s because of the cold, callous nature of the crime. Maybe it’s because I just don’t understand how someone could be so evil… or maybe it’s all of the above. Regardless of the reasons why, I have followed this story since first hearing about it back in November.
For those who aren’t familiar with the story, here is a little overview.
November 2nd, the Southern Arkansas Rodeo Team had 5 horses, a trailer, and some of their tack stolen. According to SAU Rodeo Coach Rusty Hayes, a dark-colored Ford truck was seen leaving the stables with a trailer belonging to a rodeo team member earlier in the day. The witnesses who saw the truck didn’t see any horses in the trailer, and didn’t see anything missing from the stables after checking. The thieves returned during the night to steal the horses and tack.
As anyone can imagine, the owners of these horses were frantically trying to get the word out in the rodeo community and in hopes of finding their missing horses. After searching over a period of 2 weeks, 4 of the 5 horses were found by Coach Hayes and a team member. The horses were found in a rural wooded area near Tom, Oklahoma tied to pine trees and in very bad shape. They hadn’t seen food or water since being taken 2 weeks prior. One of the horses had been spray painted and camouflaged, had lost 300 lbs, and was so thin that you could see it’s ribs and bones.
One of the owners of the recovered horses – DJ Dickenson said, “I was heartbroken when I saw him them. I would rather have had my horse running loose through the woods than tied to a pine tree.”
Though, 4 of the 5 horses had been recovered and the owners were overjoyed to have their horses back.. there was still one missing.
Credit Card’s remains were found November 25th. He had been shot, his throat had been slit, and his body quartered and scattered. There were no immediate leads in the case, but before long they came pouring in.
On December 5th, 2011 Jaci Rae Jackson of Broken Bow, Oklahoma was arrested for the crimes. She was a fellow SAU student and reportedly had 2 rodeo students show her around the stables, all the while taking notes in a pink notebook prior to the theft. She was also seen counting the stalls in the area where the horses were housed.
The affidavit shows that Jaci was believed to have had “some form of romantic problems with at least one of the owners of the stolen horses,” and had expressed to a fellow student that “some of the owners of the stolen horses had made her mad.”
A confidential informant spoke with the Sheriff’s Office of McCurtain County, Oklahoma and told them that Jaci had contacted them about assisting her move the horses. In another conversation, this time while it was recorded, Jaci stated that Credit Card was killed by an accomplice while she watched…. and that she “wanted the horse killed.”
There have since been other arrests made in the case.. two of them being Jaci’s relatives – Mickie Lynn Carter and Charles Tramble. They were charged with knowingly concealing stolen property. They have since been released.
Jaci is also out on bond, and is facing charges in Arkansas as well as in Oklahoma for these crimes. Other arrests will hopefully be made in connection to this crime, and I hope that everyone involved sees justice.
Me… being who I am, my first reaction is hoping they hang for what they’ve done.. treat them like we used to treat horse thieves. Actually, I have had a lot of things enter my mind as to what would be a ‘fitting’ punishment for these people… most are probably not appropriate to share here.
Again, can’t really explain why this story resonates with me the way it does… but it does. If anyone wants to follow this story and see how it all plays out, you can follow the story on Facebook through the Banner News Page or their website HERE.
I didn’t know at the time the story broke that Credit Card’s owner, Shaun Smith was participating in the reality show Sweet Home Alabama. He got the news about his horse while filming.
I tried to add the video to this post, but I can’t figure it out how to do it. So.. If you would like to see the interview and news story with Shaun click HERE.
CREDIT CARD by Kristi Skimehorn
They call me “Credit Card” that is my name
I was raised to rodeo that was my fame
Chasing some cows that run all around
As my owner ropes them and ties them down
I spent days and nights on the rodeo road
With one thing in mind and that was winning mode
My owner in college rodeo such a dream come true
Climbing the academic ladder things to pursue
Then sadly one day all things would change
Someone would steal me and leave my remains
Their heart was so cold with one thing in mind
All because they seemed second in line
They took away a life that was loved so much
Took me from rodeo and family and such
The things that they did I can not explain
The brutal emotions and all of the pain
But to all of my buddies and my master too
I hurt no more and my rodeo days aren’t through
I’m up here in Heaven doing what I do
With another young rider making dreams come true
Kathy Cowan says
Hanging would be too humane for them. There is a special place in hell for people like that. I grew up around horses with my mom & stepdad in Dardenelle, AK. It was the happiest time of my childhood & I am grateful for the experience. I cannot imagine that being done to any of those beautiful creatures. I pray they get the justice they deserve and not just a slap on the wrist! Just evil in my opinion.