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Woman, 27, latest person charged in 'furries' child sex ring probe

Times Leader - 5/15/2017

May 15--A Cumberland County woman is the latest to be added to a growing list of people charged in an alleged child predator ring based in Bucks County.

Paige Wren Tasker, 27, of Mechanicsburg, was arraigned in Monroe County on charges of statutory sexual assault, corruption of minors, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and indecent assault.

Investigators working with the Attorney General's Child Predator Section say that Tasker, on more than one occasion, performed sex acts on a 14-year-old boy.

Investigators say that this boy, who is now 16, was previously sexually abused years earlier at parties where his alleged abusers dressed as animals during the abuse. The victim was 8 years old at the time of these parties.

According to a news release from the Attorney General's office, Tasker previously had a brief relationship with David Parker, 38, of Stroudsburg, who was previously charged in the case with counts of child rape and possession of child pornography.

In 2015, investigators say, Tasker traveled to visit Parker in Saylorsburg. She allegedly slept in the victim's bed and sexually assaulted him during this visit.

Tasker's bail has been set to $250,000, and she is jailed at the Monroe County Prison awaiting a priliminary hearing on May 22.

Tasker is the sixth person arrested in this investigation. One of the defendents, Kenneth Fenske, 57, of Quakertown, was held for trial last week on charges of child rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and unlawful contact with a minor.

Fenske allegedly performed sexual acts on the vicitm while dressed as a red fox at the "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.

Three other men were charged, including Jeffrey Harvey, 40, of West Wyoming, who was charged with unlawful contact with a minor, criminal use of a cellphone, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and statutory sexual assault.

Attorney General Josh Shapiro emphasized in the press release the severity of the alleged crimes.

"This is a deeply disturbing case, and we care about this victim and every victim of sexual abuse," Shapiro said in the press release.

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