One of five men facing charges in a Pennsylvania child rape investigation involving a wardrobe fetish was ordered held for trial following a preliminary hearing on Monday, Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced.
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Quakertown resident Kenneth C. Fenske, 57, was arrested in January in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of an 8-year-old Bucks County boy at a series of "furry parties" dating back to 2009. The boy told investigators the suspects would dress up in farm animal costumes and assume fictional identities while reportedly violating him.
“This is a horrendous case,” Shapiro said. “It is deeply disturbing to me not only as Attorney General of Pennsylvania, but as a father of young children. We care about this victim and every victim of sexual abuse.”
A joint investigation launched last June by the Attorney General's Office, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Bucks County District Attorney's Office led to the arrest of three men in Pennsylvania and two in Virginia.
Investigators said Fenske would dress up as a red fox under the alias "Lupine" and alleged that he would abuse the victim at his home in Quakertown.
The victim, now 16, is receiving treatment and counseling.
Fenske is charged with rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and unlawful contact with a minor.
The following men have also been arrested and charged with various sexual offenses:
• David Parker, 38, of Stroudsburg, Monroe County, has been charged with child rape, possession of child pornography and related charges.
• Jeffrey Harvey, 40, of West Wyoming, Luzerne County, has been charged with unlawful contact with a minor, attempted involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, attempted statutory sexual assault and related charges.
• Craig Knox, 35, of Henrico, Virginia, has been charged with child rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, unlawful contact with a minor and related charges.
• Stephen Taylor, 30, of Henrico, Virginia, has been charged with bestiality and animal cruelty. Taylor was Knox’s roommate, authorities said.
Hearings against these defendants will occur at later dates, and the case will be prosecuted by the Office of the Attorney General.