Horse-Killing Scheme Charges Dropped

The U.S. attorney’s office has dropped charges against a Kentucky dentist accused of scheming to kill race horses for insurance money, prosecutors confirmed.

Dr. Joseph J. Brown of Shelbyville, Ky., was arrested Feb. 17 in a Florida thoroughbred barn on wire fraud charges.

The case evolved after Brown allegedly told an undercover agent for the Thorougbred Racing Protective Board that he would kill race horses for a share of the insurance profits.

It was dismissed March 1 by U.S. Magistrate Peter Palermo on a motion by the government, a U.S. attorney’s office spokeswoman said, adding that since the case was dismissed without prejudice it can be filed again at any time.