Source:  Various/KatyM, Barnmice Community News

A 44-year-old man from Hialeah, FL, was arrested today after forensics confirmed his bloody fingerprints were found in a van discovered last May.  The van contained coolers filled with horse meat.  His fingerprints were also found on a carcass in a dumpster.

Juan Martinez Gonzalez has been charged with improper disposal of dead animals and sanitary nuisance.  Two men who had also been in the van were arrested and charged with loitering .  They were placed on probation for six months.   

It is not clear if any of the men will face additional charges.  

New legislation has been enacted in Florida prohibiting both butchering and selling horse meat in response to the spate of gruesome discoveries which began in 2009.  It has been estimated that up to 55 horses have been stolen and illegally butchered in the last two years.

In December, another  man pled guilty and was sentenced to five years in prison for his part in killing two horses for their meat.  Santiago Cabrera, 20, was trying to collect the reward offered for information about the killings by turning in his partner, Luis Cordero.  Cordero is expected to go to trial.  According to the Miami Herald, two other men were also involved in the crimes.