A judge was forced to release a Huntley couple despite the “abhorrent nature” after prosecutors said the woman allowed her boyfriend to engage in sex acts with her dog while she recorded it.
The Huntley Police Department said Friday they arrested Efin J. Nolte, 23, of Huntley, and Katelyn E. Heiden, 27, of Huntley, on the charge of sexual conduct with an animal.
The police department began an investigation in July that confirmed a video was created in Huntley, which led to the identification of suspects Nolte and Heiden as the suspects, according to Huntley Deputy Police Chief Kevin Keane.
Huntley Police Detectives served a search warrant on Friday for electronic devices belonging to the two suspects.
Huntley Police Department detectives and Illinois Attorney General investigators conducted an examination and analysis of several seized electronic devices.
Nolte and Heiden were taken into custody based on evidence gained through the investigation, Keane said.
Nolte and Heiden were each charged with one count of sexual conduct with an animal, a Class 4 felony.
Prosecutors said investigators obtained a video of Nolte engaged in sexual acts with a dog.
A further investigation showed that Heiden was present and videorecorded Nolte engaged in the acts, prosecutors said.
Criminal complaints said the two are boyfriend and girlfriend and that the incident took place at their residence in the 9900 block of Yardley Drive in Huntley.
They were transported to McHenry County Jail to await an Initial Appearance Court hearing.
Prosecutors said they were unable to file a petition to detain Nolte and Heiden while they await trial due to the Illinois Pretrial Fairness Act, also known as the SAFE-T Act.
The state’s attorney’s office said the act does not include sexual conduct with an animal as a detainable offense “despite the abhorrent nature of these crimes.”
McHenry County Judge Justin Hansen released Nolte and Heiden with pre-trial conditions following their court hearings on Saturday.
They were ordered to have no contact with any domesticated animals and to obtain a sex offender evaluation.
“This is still an active investigation and no further details will be released at this time,” Keane said.
Anyone with information regarding the case is encouraged to contact the Huntley Police Department at 847-515-5311.
Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling the Huntley Police Tip Line at 847-515-5333.