Update July 23, 2014
The owner of a Florida horse transportation company has been charged with grand theft of more than $100,000. Bay County Sheriff Deputies arrested Margaret Huguley of Sliding Spurs Equine & Horse Transportation on Sunday.
Huguley worked for Bay Environmental in Panama City from April 2012 until April 2014 handling the company’s accounts and payroll. The defendant is accused of stealing more than $140,000 from the business. According to court documents, Huguley allegedly committed the crime by making 41 deposits, for a total of over $127,000, into her personal bank account, while submitting 18 payments to her personal credit card without the company’s authorization.
In December 2013, Huguley was charged with felony dealing in stolen property. She is awaiting trial in Washington County.
According to the criminal complaint, Huguley boarded her cousin’s paint mare named Fancy starting in February 2013. Huguley, who also goes by “Happy Huguley,” allegedly advised Charles Gilmer in June that his horse had eye cancer and needed to be euthanized, which he authorized.
In July, Gilmer learned Fancy was not dead, but had allegedly been sold by Huguley in April. Huguley told authorities Gilmer wasn’t paying his board for the mare, so she sold it, according to documents. Gilmer was able to provide proof to the authorities to dispel Huguley’s non-payment claim.
An ad for Sliding Spurs Equine & Horse Transportation states “we provide safe and reliable door to door horse transportation, coast to coast.”
A search of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) shows that Sliding Spurs Equine & Horse Transportation is not a licensed equine transporter. There is not a Florida business by the name either, according to the state.
Huguley and her husband, Corey Huguley, also advertise the sale of young horses for reining and cutting.
Huguley made her first appearance in Bay County’s criminal case against her on Monday. She is free after posting $25,000 bail.
Stay with Rate My Horse PRO as we continue to follow this case.
September 29, 2014 Update – As of September 24, 2014, Margaret Huguley’s husband, Corey Huguley, obtained his DOT #2544518 under the company name Blue Ridge Equine Transportation. The company, which is not registered in the state, is operated out of Farner, Tennessee. Huguley is required to carry a minimum of $750,000 in liability insurance. It is not known if Huguley has a Commercial Driver’s license.
Previously, the pair advertised this same business as being located in Georgia.
