Marin suspect accused of molesting horses

Sep. 23—A man wanted on suspicion of sexually molesting horses in New Orleans has been arrested on similar allegations in Marin County.

Koshaun Dion Baker, 23, was arraigned at the courthouse in San Rafael on Thursday on charges of burglary, vandalism, animal cruelty and sexual contact with an animal. He remains in custody in lieu of $150,000 bail.

Federal rangers arrested Baker early Tuesday after an incident at the Presidio Riding Club on Bunker Road in the Marin Headlands. The rangers learned that someone had broken into the building, vandalized it and released about 10 horses, said Charlie Strickfaden, a spokesperson for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Rangers searched the area, identified Baker as the suspect and booked him into the Marin County Jail.

"No horses required medical attention and all were returned to the stables," Strickfaden said.

Strickfaden declined to elaborate on the alleged sex crimes, saying the investigation is still in progress and authorities are trying to contact the owners of all the horses.

The criminal complaint filed by the Marin County District Attorney's Office identifies four horses as victims of animal cruelty, but does not specify how many were victims of sexual contact.

The burglary, vandalism and animal cruelty charges are felonies. The sex crime is a misdemeanor.

The criminal complaint said the vandalism involved damage to windows and animals.

Authorities filed a request for Baker's bail amount to be raised to $150,000. Judge Paul Haakenson granted the request.

Baker's case was assigned to a public defender. The attorney declined to comment Thursday.

New Orleans police have been searching for Baker since December, when he was identified as the suspect who committed "unnatural sex acts" with two horses at a group of stables, according to a police bulletin. The bulletin said DNA collected at the scene matched a sample in the FBI database system.

A New Orleans police detective said Thursday that Baker had not been arrested before turning up in the Marin Headlands case.

The Marin County Jail booking log lists Baker as a resident of San Francisco.

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