Staff Report

Kendi Jo Kennedy

NORTH WEBSTER — A Michigan woman was arrested for allegedly stealing $13,000 while acting as a third party in the sale of a horse.

Kendi Jo Kennedy, 32, Allegan, Mich., is charged with theft where the value of the property is between $750 and $50,000, a level 6 felony.

On Nov. 30, 2024, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputy spoke with a North Webster resident about selling a horse and not receiving payment for it.

According to court documents, the person said the transaction was handled by Kennedy, who acted as a third party. Kennedy sold the horse in October 2024, and the purchase price was supposed to be $9,000. Upon selling the horse, Kennedy was supposed to give $7,605 to the horse’s previous owner, with Kennedy keeping $1,395 for facilitating the sale.

On Nov. 17, 2024, Kennedy wrote a check to the horse’s former owner. However, the check was returned due to insufficient funds.

The KCSO deputy spoke with the horse’s trainer on Dec. 1, 2024. The trainer said she was present during the sale and that the buyer paid Kennedy $13,000 in cash for the horse.

A KCSO deputy spoke with Kennedy on Jan. 23. When asked about the sale, Kennedy allegedly said her bank account was frozen and there were other complications. Kennedy was also asked why the horse’s buyer paid $13,000 and not $9,000, and Kennedy said there must have been a mix-up.

She told police she would contact her accountant to get the victims properly paid by the end of January. As of Feb. 17, this had not occurred.

Kennedy has already been arrested and released on bond.