Donkey-sex suspect rejects plea deal

A farmhand accused of a sex act with a miniature donkey named Doodle refused a plea deal from the state Tuesday and said he plans to take his case to trial.

Carlos R. Romero, 31, was charged with cruelty to animals, a first-degree misdemeanor, after sheriff’s deputies say he was found in a sexually compromising position with 21-month old Doodle.

In court Tuesday, the state offered a plea deal that included one year of probation and a $200 fine if Romero pleaded guilty to the charge. He would also have to undergo a psychosexual evaluation and HIV and STD testing, and not be allowed in any area with children or have any contact with mammals.

“My major problem with what the prosecution is offering is the no contact with animals,” Romero said to County Judge Steven Rogers.

Rogers said Romero didn’t qualify for a public defender in the case and would have to get a private attorney to represent him. Romero said he can’t afford one, but the judge determined he works and has assets and therefore can’t receive the services of the Office of the Public Defender.

Outside the courtroom after the hearing, Romero said the conditions of the deal were “too harsh” and that no contact with animals would leave him destitute. Romero said he makes about $300 a week.

“Preventing me from going on a farm would destroy me,” he said.

He said it would leave him homeless and without any money.

“This case is kind of ridiculous,” Romero said.

As for Doodle, Romero said he wants to retake custody of his animal and that there was no evidence of pain and suffering done to the miniature donkey.

“I just wish this case was over today so I could have her back,” he said.

Doodle is currently in the custody of the county’s animal shelter. A custody hearing is scheduled for Oct. 31 in Marion County court, in which the county is seeking legal custody of the donkey so it can put her up for adoption, said Elaine McClain, a county spokeswoman.

Romero reportedly bought the animal from a man in Lake City and brought it to the farm in northwest Marion County a few months ago. He admitted he gets sexually aroused around animals more so than humans and masturbated with Doodle in his room.

He said he would have had sex with the animal eventually and has had sex with horses since he was 18.

In the reported incident, which allegedly occurred Aug. 15, a man who rents the farm told authorities he walked by a tack room and saw Romero with his pants down behind the miniature donkey.

In court, Romero characterized his actions as “husbandry,” as what any farmer might do in caring for livestock.

In a Facebook comment posted in response to an earlier online version of this article, Romero issued an open plea for an attorney willing to take his case and said he will not give up.

“How can I give this up? The donkey was completely unharmed, healthy and happy with me. The prosecutor wanted me to have no contact with MAMMALS, and clearly that involves humans too,” Romero wrote. “No public defender when I live well under the poverty level? Farm work is seasonal, live-in and involves animals, I’d be homeless, jobless and in immediate violation of probation.”

Romero’s next court date is scheduled for Oct. 24 at 9 a.m.

Contact Vishal Persaud at 867-4065, vishal.persaud@starbanner.com or on Twitter @vishalpersaud.