Motion to revoke filed against ‘Forever’ horse thief

WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — Prosecutors filed a motion to revoke the probation sentence of a defendant who pleaded guilty to the theft of a painted horse dedicated to the memory of a murdered middle school student and her wounded friend.

Brayden Riley Seward, 27, of Wichita Falls, was one of four defendants indicted for theft of property valued over $2,500 and under $30,000 stemming from the theft of the “Forever” painted horse from the front lawn of McNiel Middle School in 2020.

Seward pleaded guilty to the charge on March 22, 2022, in the 78th District Court, with Judge Meredith Kennedy presiding. A 24-month state jail sentence was deferred for a 5-year sentence to community supervision, and Seward was assessed a $3,500 fine.

Motion alleges multiple probation violations

On Sept. 18, 2025, roughly three and a half years after Seward entered his plea, he was booked into the Wichita County Jail, where he remains as of the publication of this story.

A records check showed that one day before Seward’s arrest, prosecutors with the Wichita County District Attorney’s Office filed a motion to revoke Seward’s probation sentence, alleging multiple violations of the conditions of his probation.

According to the prosecution’s motion, Seward is accused of consuming alcohol, a violation of the terms of his sentence. The state alleged that in November 2024, a urine test of Seward returned a positive result for the presence of alcohol. The motion also alleged that Seward admitted to consuming alcohol in July 2025.

Court documents also showed that Seward allegedly failed to make any payments toward his $3,500 restitution fee. The state also alleged that an additional $500 in various court fees has yet to be paid by Seward.

Seward is also accused in the motion of failing to complete his required community service hours and is in arrears by over 107 hours.

The motion to revoke is set to be heard on the morning of Oct. 31, 2025, in the 78th District Court.

History of ‘Forever’ painted horse theft case

The “Forever” painted horse was installed on the front lawn of McNiel Middle School in 2017, memorializing the death of Lauren Landovazo, a 13-year-old student who was shot and killed while walking home from school in September 2016.

The sculpture was also erected in honor of Makayla Smith, Landovazo’s friend, who was walking home with her that day. Smith was injured during the shooting but survived.

The painted sculpture stood in front of the school until October 2020, when it was discovered to have been sawed or pulled away from its base. A Crime Stopper’s tip led authorities to discover the stolen horse inside a barn in Clay County.

Seward was one of four suspects ultimately charged with theft of the statue, along with Zachary Kaiser, Tyler Durand, and Dakota James.

All four defendants were ultimately sentenced to probation at the request of Landovazo’s parents, Vern and Bianka Landovazo.

If the state’s motion to revoke Seward’s probation sentence is granted, he would become the third suspect to violate their probation sentence. Kaiser and James also violated the terms of their sentences and were subsequently sentenced to 2 years in a state jail facility.

In 2021, the ‘Forever’ painted horse was replaced at McNiel Middle School.