Reno Man, 2 Marines Held in Wild Horse Slaughter

RENO — Authorities arrested a Reno construction worker Tuesday and planned to charge two Marines in California in the slaughter of 34 wild horses that were shot with high-powered rifles.

Anthony Jon Merlino, 21, was arrested Tuesday at his work site in nearby Sparks, Washoe County Sheriff Richard Kirkland said.

Arrest warrants have been issued for the two Marines being held Tuesday night at U.S. Marine Corps bases in California.

Lance Cpl. Scott William Brendle, 22, of Reno, was being held at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and Lance Cpl. Darien Thomas Brock, 21, also of Reno, was being held at Twentynine Palms east of Los Angeles, Storey County Dist. Atty. Janet Hess said.

Both men are members of the 1st Marine Division. Both were home on leave when the free-roaming mustangs were shot to death Dec. 27, Storey County Sheriff Pat Whitten said.

Law officers said they did not believe that military-issue weapons were used in the shootings.

The shootings rocked the local community. Animal protection groups helped raise a $35,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Some of the horses were maimed and at least one was blasted with a chemical fire extinguisher on the rugged hillside about one mile south of Interstate 80.

If convicted, the suspects face a maximum of 10 years in prison.