Whoa, Nellie! Quincy man arrested for having sex with horse in Melrose Township

QUINCY — A Quincy man was arrested Friday for having sex with a horse and being caught by Adams County Sheriff’s Department deputies.

Jack R. Blanke, 39, of Quincy is charged with unlawful sexual contact with an animal, a Class 4 felony punishable for between 1 and 3 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, and criminal trespassing, a Class B misdemeanor.

Adams County Assistant State’s Attorney Ryan Parker said the suspect allegedly had sex with the horse about a dozen times on a farm in the 4200 block of Deer Ridge Road in Melrose Township, south of Quincy. Blanke allegedly stood on a five-gallon bucket, feeding the horse apples, while performing coitus. Deputies conducting stationary patrol near the the farm at approximately 12:44 a.m. Friday observed Blanke in the act.

The felony charge, read by Judge Tad Brenner, alleged Blanke “placed his penis inside the vagina” of the horse.

Parker asked for $2,000 bond. Assistant Public Defender Sarah Lucey requested $1,000, saying Blanke is on disability and received $1,000 a month from that — and his rent is $700. “That leaves precious little for food,” she said.

Lucey also said Blanke suffers from heart disease and expressed concern about dizziness he has experienced while lodged in the Adams County Jail. She said he lives close to the courthouse and will be able to make his court appearances.

“He is as low risk as anybody could possibly come,” she said. “He has no criminal history whatsoever. He has stable housing and has for the past two years.”

Brenner agreed with the $2,000 bond and scheduled Blanke for another Monday morning court appearance, when Assistant Public Defender Chris Pratt will represent him.

Brenner also ordered Blanke to stay off of Deer Ridge Road.