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Michigan State Police troopers executed a search warrant Thursday at 6030 Hunters Creek Road in assistance with the Lapeer County Sheriff's Department and the Michigan Department of Agriculture. The ranch under investigation was previously called Old Time Acres and licensed under the name of Chisholm Alexander and his mother Genevieve Alexander. A new livestock dealer license was provided in November 2007 under the name Great Lake Sport Horses. It is at the same location, this time doing business solely under the name of Genevieve Alexander, said Department of Agriculture agent Al Rodreguiz.

"Several other previous cases have been determined to be criminal in nature and have already been prosecuted by the Lapeer County Prosecutor's Office," said Michigan State Police D/Sgt. Mark Reaves. "These are only two of more than a dozen complaints referred to the Michigan State Police, many which have been immediately determined as civil matters."

The Lapeer County Prosecutor's office is very familiar with Chisholm Alexander.

"He's faced numerous charges with the buying and selling of horses," said Chief Assistant Prosecutor Mike Hodges.

Since 2004, dozens of victims have contacted state police and the Lapeer County Sheriff's Department claiming they've been wrangled out of cash by Chisholm Alexander, who faced a multitude of felony charges. But the horse trader made restitution to many of his victims and was able to avoid prison time. On his most recent conviction he spent 60 days in the Lapeer County Jail and is serving Lapeer Circuit Court probation until November.

The latest ranch search was conducted because of a complaint involving a horse sold and transported from Michigan to Delaware with an alleged forged Interstate Health Certificate. Another complaint involves a horse sold and transported from Michigan to Kansas under alleged false pretenses.

"Buying and selling horses over the Internet is really common now," Reaves said. "But when something goes wrong, it really puts a strain on local agencies to investigate."

Susan Younger may be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8122 or susan.younger@lapeergroup.com