A Florida man accused of poaching two horses then butchering them for their meat pleaded guilty to the charges against him during an appearance in Miami-Dade Circuit Court on Nov. 17.

In September 2009 Miami-Dade County law enforcement authorities arrested Santiago Cabrera in connection with a July 2009 incident involving a horse discovered dead in a pasture near its stable, apparently butchered for its meat. He later confessed to taking part in a similar killing in Miami Gardens. The killings were two among 20 similar horse poaching incidents that took place in Miami-Dade County and Miramar, Fla., in 2009.

Miami-Dade County law enforcement authorities also arrested Luis Miguel Cordero in September 2009 as he attempted to poach two horses located in the pasture of a northwest Miami-Dade County ranch. Cordero later confessed to the Miami Gardens incident.

Both Cordero and Cabrera were later each charged with multiple felonies including killing a registered breed horse, armed burglary, and animal cruelty in connection with the killings. The charges carry penalties of up to life in prison