AUSTIN, TX—MARCH 3, 2015—The Texas Racing Commission has suspended jockey Roman Chapa five years and fined him $25,000 after stewards determined he carried an electrical shocking device while riding Quiet Acceleration to victory in a Richard King Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park earlier this year.

The suspension is a result of a Feb. 27 stewards' hearing at which Chapa, 43, was represented by attorneys Paul Vick and Angus McGinty. Chapa has until Thursday, March 5, to appeal and TRC executive director Chuck Trout has the discretion to increase the fine up to $100,000.

According to the stewards ruling, Chapa violated four rules including possession of contraband, influence of race prohibited, unlawful influence on racing, and inhumane treatment of horse or Greyhound.

The 43-year-old jockey has not ridden since he was summarily suspended in January, two days after winning the stakes in question aboard Quiet Acceleration. Quiet Acceleration was disqualified and declared unplaced in that race.

Scrutiny of Chapa emerged after a photograph showing the apparent shock device in Chapa's hand was published on the Sam Houston website and the jockey demanded it be removed.

This is the third suspension for jockey for attempting to alter the outcome of a horse's performance in a race. In his first year as a jockey he was suspended for nine months in Texas for possession of contraband intended to increase or decrease the speed of his horse after he told investigators he used a nail on his horse. In 2007 he was suspended five years in New Mexico for possession of an electrical device, however prior to completion of that suspension the jockey was reinstated on a probationary basis in May 2011.