Kenneth Fenske to stand trial for raping an 8-year-old boy as part of a ring of child sexual predators
HARRISBURG — A Quakertown man charged with child rape and sexually assaulting an 8-year-old boy during animal furry parties in Bucks County was ordered held for trial following a preliminary hearing held today. The Office of Attorney General Josh Shapiro is prosecuting the case.
Kenneth C. Fenske, 57, of the 2700 block of N. Old Bethlehem Pike, was held for trial for child rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and unlawful contact with a minor following a hearing before District Justice Charles Baum in Perkasie, Bucks County.
“This is a horrendous case,” said Attorney General Josh Shapiro. “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.”
Fenske was arrested in January as part of a ring of child predators who abused the boy repeatedly over several years. Fenske was charged with sexually abusing the victim in 2009 at furry parties – events where adults dress up as animals and identify as a chosen animal. For some, though not all, being a furry is a sexual fetish.
Investigators say Fenske would dress up as a red fox known as Lupine and abuse the victim at a house that Fenske owns in Quakertown. The victim, who was 8 years old when the crimes were committed, is now 16 and receiving treatment and counseling for the abuse.
Fenske and four other defendants have been arrested and charged with sex offenses in connection with the predator ring. Today’s hearing focused on the charges against Fenske. Hearings against the others will occur on later dates. The prosecutor is Chief Deputy Attorney General Michele Walsh of the Child Predator Section, assisted by Deputy Attorney General Michelle Laucella.
In addition to Fenske, the following men have been arrested and charged with various sexual offenses in the case:
- David Parker, 38, of Stroudsburg, Monroe County, charged with child rape, possession of child pornography and related charges.
- Jeffrey Harvey, 40, of West Wyoming, Luzerne County, charged with unlawful contact with a minor, attempted involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, attempted statutory sexual assault and related charges.
- Craig Knox, 35, of Henrico, VA, charged with child rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, unlawful contact with a minor and related charges.
- Stephen Taylor, 30, of Henrico, VA, charged with bestiality and animal cruelty. Taylor was Knox’s roommate, authorities said.
Attorney General Shapiro praised the cooperation of numerous law enforcement organizations working together on the predator ring investigation. “We thank the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, Bucks County detectives, Pennsylvania State Police, U.S. Postal Inspectors, the FBI and Homeland Security investigators for their collaboration. This ring of predators was stopped because of federal, state and local law enforcement working together.”
