The trial of an Arkansas man accused of having sex with dogs and possessing “numerous” pornographic images involving children has been delayed pending a mental evaluation.
Jonathan Ford, 33, of Hattieville was set to appear for a jury trial Tuesday in Pope County Circuit Court, according to the prosecuting attorney's office.
He faces two counts of bestiality, one count of conspiracy to commit commercial burglary and 15 counts of distributing, possessing or viewing material depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child, records show.
A female communicating online with Ford told the Pope County sheriff's office June 9, 2015, that Ford mentioned having sex with dogs and had sent pictures of the acts. The female's age was not released.
Authorities were not able to identify Ford in the photos provided by the female but said a dog seen on his Facebook account resembled a dog photographed.
While executing a search warrant, authorities found child pornography on Ford's electronic devices. Ford had indicated to the sheriff's office that such images, as well as photos of bestiality, could be found on the devices, according to an affidavit.
The commercial burglary charge stems from Ford’s alleged scheme to break into an animal shelter in June 2015.
According to the affidavit, the sheriff's office received information June 26, 2015, that Ford and another person had purchased a bandana and bolt cutters from a Wal-Mart for the purpose of breaking into the shelter.
While being questioned by authorities, Ford admitted to the plan, adding that he had bought the items to "steal his dog" that was at the shelter, according to the document.
Information regarding the name of that shelter was not immediately available Tuesday afternoon.
I Love Lucy Pet Rescue is registered in Ford's name, according to a filing dated May 19, 2015, in the secretary of state's office. The business was listed as being in good standing as of Tuesday.
Pope County Circuit Judge William Pearson, after the defense’s notice of intent to rely on mental disease or defect, ordered March 7 that a mental evaluation be conducted, according to a court document.
In a letter dated March 23, the Arkansas Department of Human Services’ Division of Behavioral Health Services requested more time for the mental evaluation.
Ford remained in custody at the Pope County jail Tuesday afternoon in lieu of $150,000 bond, records show. He was initially booked about 3:35 p.m. June 26, 2015, according to the jail.