Horse Lover Sentenced

Erick Rivera, 18, of Goshen, NY known as "The Horse Romancer” was arrested in December 2009. At the time of his arrest he admitted to police that he repeatedly had sex with horses in their stables, located across the street from where he lived. But as he stood before Orange County Court Judge Robert Freehill there was no mention of either horses or sex. Instead, he pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary, a felony, and Freehill granted him youthful offender treatment, which seals the court record. He had originally been charged with a felony burglary count and two misdemeanors – sexual misconduct with an animal and petit larceny.

The case sparked outrage among animal lovers nationwide, who sent cut-and-paste e-mails urging that Freehill impose a harsh sentence. But the stiffest charge allowable in New York for sex with an animal is sexual misconduct, a misdemeanor. Prosecutors insisted he plead to the more serious burglary charge.

Rivera has been held in the county jail since his arrest. Judge Robert Freehill sentenced Rivera to 90 days in the county jail and five years’ probation for burglarizing the Goshen Historic Track last year. His lawyer, Gary Abramson of the Orange County Legal Aid Society, said Rivera will move to New York City to live with his sister when he’s released from jail. His probation will be supervised by New York City authorities.

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One More Horse Lover

What is it about a horse that some men find sexually attractive? Lately there seems to be a number of individuals caught having sex with a horse.

First there was the Rodell Vereen story. 50-year-old Rodell from Longs, S.C. fell in love with a horse named Sugar. He was caught by the owner, Barbara Kenley, having intercourse with her horse. He was given 3 years probation and an entry in the sex offender's book. That, however, was not enough to deter Rodell. He was caught a second time by the owner having sex with the same horse. This time Rodell was sent to prison for three years and given 2 years of probation.

Next there was the 71-year-old retired farm worker, David Chamberlin of Middlesbrough in England. He was caught in broad daylight with a neighbor's horse, engaging in oral sex. After being arrested, and confessing, it emerged that Chamberlin has a lengthy history of sexual deviance going back four decades. He was given a 2-year community order and forced to register as a sex offender.

Now along comes the case of 18-year-old Erick Rivera from Goshen, NY. Erick lived in a rented room overlooking the Goshen Historic Track and just couldn't take his mind off those fillies next door. At least a dozen times since July 2009, he would creep from his rented room and have his way with his equine neighbors.

Rivera's amorous adventures ended when police charged Rivera with a felony burglary count and two misdemeanors – sexual misconduct with an animal and petit larceny. He's being held in the Orange County Jail in lieu of $15,000 cash bail. Police expected to file four additional counts each of burglary and sexual misconduct against Rivera.

Village police Chief James Watt said Rivera entered the unlocked stables after midnight and used bridles to immobilize the horses in their stalls for each of his escapades. Police used surveillance camera recordings to identify Rivera. He was never caught in the act, although employees told police they saw someone bolt from the stables several times in the early-morning hours, Watt said.

 

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