Jackie L. McConnell, 60, of Collierville, Tennessee, John Mays, 50, of Collierville, and Joseph R. Abernathy, 30, of Olive Branch, Mississippi, pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court, in Chattanooga, to charges related to the conspiracy to violate the Horse Protection Act. Charges are still pending against a fourth individual charged in this case.
Sentencing has been set for McConnell, Mays and Abernathy at 9:00 a.m., September 10, 2012, in U.S. District Court, Chattanooga. McConnell faces a term of up to five years in prison, a $250,000.00 fine, supervised release for up to three years, and a $100 special assessment. Mays and Abernathy both face up to one year in prison, a $3,000 fine, up to one year of supervised release, and a $25 special assessment.
