A Texas man will serve three years in prison in connection with the theft of a Miniature Horse earlier this year.

According to a spokesperson for Kleberg County District Attorney John T. Hubert, Luciano Riojas stole the animal from a Kleberg County farm on May 26 by loading him into a sport utility vehicle and driving away. Later that day Kleberg County Sheriff's Deputies discovered manure inside the vehicle while investigating a traffic accident in which it was involved. The animal was later recovered.

On Dec. 2, Riojas pleaded guilty to livestock theft, the spokesperson said. This week he was sentenced to serve three years at the Texas Department of Justice Center.

Charges against another man connected to the incident remain pending, the spokesperson said