Sheila…
ROTFLMAO 
Originally posted by Pony Bit:
And Khamian I would be careful with your birds of a feather statement. During your civil case there were far more of Keg’s friends on your side of the court room then on Gails. Actually they were several that were on your side that did business with Keg up until the day that they put him away.
Pony Bit - do I know you? You were in court when I was? There were several people on Gail’s side who were never called - and, honestly, were people I did not know and had no dealings with, so not sure why Gail had them subpeonaed - other than maybe her lawyer thought it was good idea because it helped fatten his wallet? Maybe you know, and you would be so kind as to enlighten me 
Doesn’t really matter - old news - just curious.
When I first met Gail, and she visited me in Florida, I got a call from Keg maybe 5 days after she went back to Virginia. He had gotten my number from Gail. Gail had shown him the videos of my ponies, and in one, a show video, he saw that we trained with a well known pony person. He was calling me to get this trainer’s number - claimed he had sold a big name pony with her. Trainer didn’t know who he was, and joked that she was sure she would remember a guy named Keg, after all, she went to U of FLA 
I did not pass on her number, and never heard from Keg again.
After that, when I had entered into a lease arrangement with Gail and Gail and I were friendly enough that we spoke every day by phone, Gail would tell me all the time about running into Keg at the Pony Breeding ring - and what sort of wheeling and dealing she was trying to do with him. It could have been bull$hit…I found later Gail has a lot of that. I have certainly never had any business with Keg.
Not several, but one friend of mine, a really lovely lady who breeds beautiful ponies in Middleburg, is very loyal to Keg, for whatever reason. Like you noted, I don’t think she will ever think he did anything wrong. It is at her home that I met Keg. I have not talked to her recently, and feel sorry that she can’t see what he is, as she is a great lady, just too kind hearted.
I believe I used the same lawyer as Keg, as well. Other than that - I really only see my relation to Keg in a “Six Degrees of Separation” sort of way - and don’t know what you are talking about when you say “there were several that were on your side that did business with Keg up until the day that they put him away”. One does not = several in my book -
Unfortunately, the one wonderful lady I refer to above will probably continue to do business with Keg.
Best, Julie
http://www.caspianpony.com
You all make an ecellent point, could we not come up with a "code of cxonduct which wouldeal with many suchissues???, and, Sheila makes an excellent point. Are we not "shooting ourselves in the foot
" by failing to act and sinmply going on with h “busibness as usual?”
I will be happy to update you on what I know. There was a hearing on February 17th in front of Judge Richard L. Williams. Keg presented his requests and Judge Williams said he would make a ruling by the end of the day. Unfortunately I have not received my court documents from the Dept of Justice as of today but plan to put a call in to the court in Richmond tomorrow to see what I can find out. I promise as soom as I know the ruling I will post it.
Ahem! This is an important issue not to be forgotten. You may want to go to the court for the next hearing.
Shame on you guys! This is probably the most important thing that horse people have ever accomplished. They all went to court and beat slick willy. They saved all of you from being burned.
All conmen are attractive speak well and have good manners, that’s how they manage to fool everyone. People expect a crook to be cross-eyed and ugly but they never are.
The is a what sounds like a very similar situation going on around here with another con-man dealing in horses.
We’re trying to get something done about it and I was wondering if any of you would be willing to PM me with your stories about these two guys.
I’m hoping if we can show a DA the similarities between this case and the guy I’m talking about they might actually be motivated to DO something about him. So far like you guys were told all we keep hearing is : “I really wish we could do something but ITS A CIVIL MATTER”
I would love to know how outright theft can ever be seen by the people in law enforcement as “a civil matter”!
Hell they used to hang horse thieves in this country didn’t they? When did law enforcement deceide it wasn’t a crime anymore?
Originally posted by Tom King:
I want to know what these criminals look like.
You will get your chance to see one!! Kenneth aka 'Keg" Berlin.
Date: February 17, 2006
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Where?.. Federal Court House Annex.
The court of the Honorable Judge Richard L. Williams, Senior Untied States District Judge
The hearing is requested by Keg Berlin specifically regarding the conditions his supervised release. This is somewhat of a repeat for what his co-defendant Joshua Cardine had last month January 6, 2006.
Please feel free to come…this is criminal law you just can’t make up!! This is a HEARING and not a trial …there was no trial per se since both PLED GUILTY to charges the Offense- Conspiracy to commit fraud and swindle of livestock in interstate commerce, June 24, 2004. They had faced 76 charges in all for just three victims. They were released from jail in the past few months and must abide by Court ordered Supervised Release.
In the case of Joshua Cardine, The Judge granted the Government’s motion to modify the conditional of supervised release. (He was offered a partial supervised release and did not elect to take the Government’s offer…January 6, 2006, the FEDERAL Court found that regarding Josh Cardine…" it is necessary to protect the public and further finds that a partial prohibition would not provide adequate protection"
Since the discovery of the horse Grande Impression; it is apparent that Keg Berlin did not disclose the ownership of this horse in court on the day of his sentencing. The mare was seized and sold by order of Federal Court.
The sale of Grande Impression (see link below) was paid to the victims’ fund.
The victims of this case are owed restitution to the tune of $52,000 by Josh Cardine and Keg Berlin. RNB…what have your checks amounted to from the boys???
At any rate…this is a case of the persistence and hard work on every level to see that Justice prevailed in THIS case…so give heart…if you have been wronged…the Justice is in the courts…this was a criminal trial…the victims did not have to hire anyone to represent this case. Dealing with Horse theft as a criminal matter is NOW on the BOOKS!
Okay that was my study break…see you guys after …it’s over!!
Is this a “published” case? I couldn’t find anything online about it at all.
I only saw references on horse show results sites to a “Keg” Berlin. One and the same?
it’s curious, i don’t see anyone here trying to ‘punish’ anyone. which makes me wonder, why so defensive, eef? what sort of connection do you have to these guys? personally, i’ve never even heard of them, or the case.
Originally posted by RNB:
Here is a copy of Judge Williams ruling…
The defendant is prohibited from any employment – self-employment or employment through legitimate employer – in the equestrian/horse industry. This includes but is not limited to the buying and selling of horses, the breeding of horses, acting as an agent during the sale of horses, acting as a horse trainer, or acting as an instructor for riding lessons to any individual. The defendant is permitted to aid his mother in the care of one (1) horse only – the horse located in Chesapeake, Virginia at the date of this hearing. Further, the defendant is only permitted to care for said horse at the Chesapeake location where the horse is currently kept.
woooohooooo for Judge Richard L. Williams - standing ovation
Yes Snowbird, it is an important issue. Keg’s hearing was yesterday and Judge Williams was to make his ruling at the end of the day. The Dept of Justice did not call me late yesterday afternoon so I won’t know anything until Tuesday since Monday is a holiday.
TWF: wow - how sad. Can they (I should say can they LEGALLY) register foals from starbound after all that?? Can you alert registries? That really sucks. MJ
I just wanted to say to eef, who stated earlier that most of what is posted on here is opinions in relation to Josh and Keg, that is a LIE!!!
I had a terrible run-in with them 7 years ago, and I am 100% positive that there are other people like me out there. Fortunately, I did not have my client’s pony stolen like DNB and twf did. It was returned back to me, as said; however, it was sick, sore, depressed, and grossly and permanently disfigured!!! Eef and others that support Josh and KEg, this is not an opinion, but rather, a fact.
I had no idea of any of these theiverys and wrongdoings until I saw these posts. Just think of how many other people are out there that these two villians screwed over that we don’t know about!!! 
Thanks again, DNB, for our wonderful conversation last night. Twf, I heard your story and I am so happy for you that you have Grande Impression back!!
Yes! Mary exactly. The reason there is a law still on the books somewhere the dishonest horse trader could be hung as a capital offense was because back in the old days of the west if a trader sold you a lame horse it could break down and leave you stranded without water or a way to escape the desert.
It was people who had been abused by these snake oil salesmen and some who lost their lives. While today it may seem as if it is just the money and afterall any good horse is insured in fact it is not.
If you sell a crooked horse to a child you may kill a dream of what might have been. If it’s money it could be the whole budget allowed for horses. We are not all rich with millions is disposable cash. And, let’s not forget the poor horses who lose their happy home and wind up being sold down the line in anonymity to expire unloved and uncared for.
It is time for us to clean house just as they did in racing. The Federation can at least keep them from being endorsed as legitimate and new people can wonder why they do not participate in a recognized series of shows.
It is time we stopped waiting for someone else to do the job. Most of our crusaders have passed on and it’s time for us to pick up the torch and run with it. Not, to the Olympics but to light the dark corners where these vermin hide.
If this is their only skill then they didn’t do well by it and deserve to either find a new trade or starve to death.
Thanks for the wisdom and SUPPORT Lord Helpus & Snowbird…I would gladly give a discount to a buyer if they mention this forum!
Please make your calendars for January 6th, 9:30 AM Judge Richard L. Williams’ court room in the Federal Court House. ANYONE who is interested may attend.
I’m sure it is just disallusionment but it does seem it is easier to stay in good standing if you are a convicted felon. When I see those who are honest and hard working suspended and/or fined it is a curious comment about our system.
Having started this thread I wanted to pass along some information that may be of interest. Since I was one of their victims who was awarded restitution and spend the last 6+ years working with the FBI, US Attorneys and Federal Court system…I have copies of the court documents.
LaBonnieBon, speedy20 & smallfries ~ If you have any trouble getting copies please do not hesitate to get in touch with me. And no, it is not illegal to pass along the documents since they are now public record.
For anyone else that would like a copy or other information, please just PT me.
Ghazza ~ Well said!
kfildes ~ You have a PT on the way. I am truly sorry for whatever they did to you. You are not along in trying to file a complaint and I am not surprised nothing was done. There were MANY calls, letters, protests…to quite a few associations. The USEF, VHSA, Hunter Futurity and others were contacted to no avail. They do not want to be a “policing association” (their words). Myself and the other victims were in your shoes and can understand your frustration. No one wanted to stand up and say “No”. It took the Federal Govt. to step in and hold them accountable.
lyrical & Snowbird ~ I agree they should have received more than 1.5 years, especially after what the FBI uncovered. However, since there are hardly any true equine laws it can be difficult to protect yourself in the horse industry, even with signed contracts, etc. When I was interviewed by the FBI they were truely amazed at the prices paid for performance horses/ponies. There are laws that cover your personal property (a boat) or livestock (cows) but horses really can’t be lumped into either catagory. I would like to see a few equine laws that have some teeth, stronger sentencings for those who prey upon children and horses/ponies and some type of association we as horse people can contact when we need help. Perhaps a horse BBB?
This was the first case of it’s kind in the Federal Courts in the Commonwealth of VA and the US Attorney has offered to speak before any horse organization that may be interested in hopes of stopping this from happening again. We know this may be an idle dream but it’s a start and there now is a permanent record on file that individuals and the horse industry can refer to.
TWF ~ I don’t even have to tell you how happy we all are you finally got Grande Impression back. You were in the trenches with us for the last 7 years and it was great being with you in court this past Sept. We only wish you didn’t have to spend the amount of money you did to get her back. But like the rest of the wonderful horse people that have come together, you too stood up for what was right and didn’t waver. My daughter and I feel blessed to be able to call you our friend and we’re sorry we didn’t get to join you in your “Thelma & Louise” adventure in the red hills of VA
FYI…there was a thread started by someone named ESP123 entitled VA TRAINERS who we all feel is eef. Interesting reading on that as well.
And the fact that it never was such a place enables the likes of Josh and Keg to thrive.
t8ksilk…did you have a bad dealings with them?
