Ag official resigns amid horse abuse probe

By RICK BRUNDRETT - rbrundrett@thestate.com

The state agriculture official who with his family is the focus of a two-state investigation into horse abuse has resigned from his position.

James W. Trexler resigned his $84,000 job as assistant commissioner of administration on Wednesday, said Becky Walton, spokeswoman for the S.C. Department of Agriculture. Walton said she didn’t know if Trexler gave a reason for his resignation.

Trexler is charged with five misdemeanor counts of ill treatment of animals stemming from the seizure of five horses on the Hopkins farm where he lives.

Fifth Circuit Solicitor Barney Giese has said he will ask a Richland County grand jury this month to indict Trexler on felony animal cruelty charges.

Trexler had been suspended by Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers earlier this month pending the outcome of the Humane Society’s investigation of 45 horses owned by Trexler and his family at three sites in Richland and Lexington counties.

As the assistant commissioner for administration, Trexler was in charge of procurement, budgeting and technology, Walton said. He had been in the position since 2003, she said.

Authorities also are studying the remains of horses found buried in shallow graves on Trexler property in Sumter County to determine if they had been neglected or abused before their deaths.

Hazelene and Terry Trexler, James Trexler’s mother and brother, also are facing abuse and neglect charges in Georgia involving as many as 80 horses.

This morning, a Jefferson County, Ga., judge set bail at $50,000 each for Hazelene and Terry Trexler on those charges, which include for each of them:

• 1 felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals

• 29 misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals

• 25 misdemeanor counts of moving animals under quarantine

• 1 misdemeanor count of letting livestock run at large

Those charges involve as many horses that were found or at one time were on property owned or managed by the Trexlers in Jefferson County, officials said.

During the hearing, both Hazelene and Terry Trexler professed their innocence.

Hazelene Trexler said she had been feeding the horses and was trying to rehabilitate the animals before Georgia investigators intervened.

Hazelene and Terry Trexler will remain in the custody of Georgia authorities for the time being, officials there said.

Reach Brundrett at (803) 771-8484. Staff writer Marjorie Riddle contributed.