'Network' Of Sexual Abusers In Animal Costumes Busted In Bucks County: Attorney General

A suspect involved in a child predator ring in which grown men dressed up as animals to sexually abuse minors was arrested Sunday in Bucks County, authorities announced.

Kenneth C. Fenske, 57, of Quakertown is one of "a network" of five men arrested since June in connection with the abuse, the Pennsylvania attorney general announced.

Authorities say Fenske participated in ongoing sexual abuse against an underage boy that began when the victim was 9 years old. Disturbing details of the case were provided by authorities as they attempt to find more potential victims.

Police say Fenske and one of the other suspects would take the victim to a home where a group of men were dressed up as animals, known as "Furries."

"Furries are people who dress up as animals and identify as the chosen animal. For some, although not all, being a Furry is a sexual fetish," the attorney general said in a statement.

According to the complaint and affidavit, the victim said Fenske would dress up as a red fox, known as “Lupine,” and take him upstairs during Furry parties to sexually abuse him. "This abuse occurred numerous times and on different dates," the attorney general's office said.

Fenske was charged with multiple counts of child rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and unlawful contact with a minor. He was arraigned before a Bucks County magistrate and ordered held on $750,000 bail.

Authorities say the victim is now receiving the appropriate care and therapy, "and today we’re asking the public for help in finding and identifying more potential victims.”

According to search warrants, affidavits of probable cause and criminal complaints filed in connection with these cases, the following suspects have been arrested and charged with an array of sexual offenses against the underage victim:

• Kenneth C. Fenske, 57, of 2724 North Old Bethlehem Pike, Quakertown, arrested Friday and charged with multiple counts of child rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and unlawful contact with a minor. Each of the charges are first-degree felonies. Fenske was arraigned before a Bucks County magistrate and ordered held on $750,000 bail.
• David Parker, 38, of Stroudsburg, Monroe County, faces charges of child rape and related counts, including possession of child pornography.
• Jeffrey Harvey, 40, of West Wyoming, Luzerne County, has been arrested and charged in Lackawanna County with unlawful contact with a minor, criminal use of a cell phone, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and statutory sexual assault.
• Craig Knox, who was arrested and charged with sexual offenses in Virginia. He has been extradited to Pennsylvania, where he is being held in Luzerne County.
• Stephen Taylor has also been arrested in Virginia in connection with the case.

“This is a horrendous case,” Attorney Joel General Shapiro said, adding there will "likely" be more arrests.

The Office of Attorney General has a tip line and is asking the public to call 1-800-385-1044. Anonymous tips can be submitted at www.attorneygeneral.gov.

PHOTO: Kenneth Fenske, via PA Attorney General's office