Two Monroe County women charged with stealing, selling horse online
Investigators recovered the horse and reimbursed the buyer after two women stole and sold it online.
What This Story Is About
- Two Monroe County women, Shaleah Peels and Kyleigh Shell, are charged with stealing an Appaloosa horse and selling it online. Investigators recovered the horse and returned it to the owner.
Why It Matters
- Horse theft is rising as livestock prices increase nationwide and investigators say higher animal values are drawing more thieves, and online marketplaces are being used to quickly sell stolen animals — sometimes across state lines.
What Happens Next
- Peels and Shell face theft charges. Their cases are expected to move through the court system. The Agricultural Crime Unit continues to monitor livestock sales and coordinate with investigators across 13 southern states.
For Context
- The Agricultural Crime Unit tracks stolen animals across 13 southern states.
Catch Up
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Two Monroe County women are facing theft charges after investigators say they stole a horse, advertised it and sold it online.
Shaleah Peels and Kyleigh Shell are charged with theft in connection with the stolen Appaloosa horse, which was valued at roughly $5,000.
Investigation spans 13 southern states
Chief Greg Whitehead of the Agricultural Crime Unit said investigators were able to arrest Peels and Shell, return the horse to its owner and reimburse the person who purchased it.
Whitehead works with investigators across 13 southern states to track stolen animals across state lines. He said cases like this are becoming more frequent.
“With the high prices of livestock that is occurring right now in our country and across the world there, it makes an increase of thieves come out of the woodwork wanting to steal these items,” Whitehead said.
Horse owner warns of suspicious online posts
Cheltzie Lamiman, owner of C&C Livestock, a horse rehabilitation operation — said she is familiar with the two women charged and sees posts offering horses for sale frequently.
“It hits close to home because we’ll see these posts that are well-written, but they’re short, and it seems fishy off the jump because it’s just one photo... and says please DM me for more info, and that’s it,” Lamiman said.
Lamiman said the emotional toll of horse theft extends beyond financial loss.
“It’s not just livestock to horse owners. We develop bonds. We have our heart horses. These are our family. And so, for someone to come and take those from us, it hits us hard,” Lamiman said.
Tips to protect your livestock
Whitehead said horse and livestock owners can take several steps to protect their animals:
- Keep detailed records of your livestock
- Lock gates
- Microchip your animals
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