Adam Duvernay | The News Journal

Wochit

DSP

One of the five times Adelio Guzman broke into the barn, state police said he molested a miniature horse inside. The last time he broke in, state police said, he got shot.

Guzman turned himself in to state police Friday, said a police spokesman. Police charged him for the break-in, animal cruelty and engaging in sex acts with an animal.

State police were called to a barn on Pony Track Road near Sandtown on a mid-August morning after a miniature horse there was found with penetration injuries.

A veterinarian from Country Roads Veterinary Service who treated the animal said the horse was penetrated with an unknown object, which caused significant trauma.

"My best guess is it wasn't a human, but most likely an object," Dr. Amy Franklin said at the time. "I have never seen anything quite like this in 18 years of practice."

It was one of five times state police believe Guzman broke into the barn.

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There were security cameras in the barn, according to court documents.

He was charged with attempting to commit or engage in a sexual act involving an animal based on the horse's injury. Police said its not clear what he used to molest the animal.

The charge is based on the parts of the animal's body that were injured, police said.

State police also charged him with animal cruelty by inuring another person's animal.

An alarm in the barn sounded around 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 2. It warned the homeowners, a 73-year-old man and his 65-year-old wife, someone was inside the barn, police said.

They went to the barn and the 73-year-old man shot Guzman, state police said.

The shooting still is being investigated. No charges have been filed.

Guzman was hospitalized and released Thursday. Police interviewed him at the hospital and he admitted to being in the barn before Oct. 2, according to court documents.

He told interviewers he would get lonely and go to the barn to talk and play with the horses, according to court documents.

On Friday, Guzman turned himself in to police.

Guzman also was charged with two counts of third-degree burglary, three counts of first-degree criminal trespassing and criminal mischief. His unsecured bond was $11,750.

Contact Adam Duvernay at (302) 319-1855 aduvernay@delawareonline.com