Peaceable Farm Operator Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement

Anne Williams, who operated a horse rescue in Virginia, pleaded guilty to embezzling funds donated to help the horses.
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Anne Shumate Williams, who operated a horse rescue near Somerset, Virginia, has pleaded guilty to embezzling funds donated to help the horses.

The case dates back to October 2015 when Orange County Sheriff’s Office personnel discovered a herd of 89 allegedly emaciated horses at Williams’ Peaceable Farm, along with the remains of seven other horses. Williams (also known as Anne Goland) was arrested and charged with more than 20 counts of animal cruelty.

Investigators eventually expanded their probe to include properties that Williams owned in Maryland and Pennsylvania, as well as the day-to-day operations at a for-profit breeding farm that she operated along with the nonprofit Peaceable Farm. As a result, she was also charged with 13 counts of felony embezzlement.

On Dec. 7, entered an Alford plea and pleaded guilty to one count of felony embezzlement, a representative for the Orange County Circuit Court said. Under a plea agreement, the other embezzlement charges were dismissed, the representative said. Under an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but acknowledge that prosecutors have enough evidence to win a conviction

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Written by:

Pat Raia is a veteran journalist who enjoys covering equine welfare, industry, and news. In her spare time, she enjoys riding her Tennessee Walking Horse, Sonny.

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