In 2003, CSI introduced the wider world to the fascinating but little known subculture of ‘plushies and furries.’ For a time, after ‘Fur and Loathing (season 4, episode five), the media was full of stories about people who like to dress up as animals in full body fur costumes. However, the frenzy quickly faded away, to be replaced by other, newer interests. Now however, it’s back. At least in Michigan, it is. And not in a good way.

27-year-old Kyle Daemian Kerbersky, a resident of Muskegon, has been accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a young boy. According to court records, Kerbersky was arraigned in the Muskegon County District Court on Criminal Sexual Conduct Charges, along with charges of lying to the police. The CSC charge is First Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct Involving a Minor Under The Age of 13.

Police records reveal that the alleged victim is a relative of Kerspersky’s. The assaults are said to have taken place on a number of occasions between October and November of 2015. Kerspersky is alleged to have anally penetrated the boy, which is why he is facing First Degree CSC. It is important to note that, while Kerspersky is a self proclaimed ‘furry’, which has added a sensationalist element to the story in the media. this has nothing whatsoever to do with the charge.

Police say that the allegations came to their attention when Child Protective Services passed on a tip about the abuse to officers. No information is provided, however, about how CPS discovered the alleged abuse, or where the assaults are said to have happened.

According to the Michigan State Police, Kerspersky lied to the investigating MSP officer about his contact with the boy during police interviews. For this reason he has been charged with Lying to a Peace Officer During a Violent Crime Investigation, which is a four year felony under Michigan law.

Kerspersky’s preliminary exam has been scheduled for 2 pm on October 13th. It will take place before Judge Maria Ladas Hoopes in the Muskegon County District Court. If convicted, Kerspersky is facing the possibility of a lifetime behind bars.

So what does all of this have to do with ‘furies’ you ask? Technically nothing. But Kerspersky happens to be a ‘furry,’ and identifies himself on his Facebook page as ‘Lavadog Ashpaw.’ As a result, the ‘Furry subculture’ once again finds itself in the news as a result of something that reflects negatively on them, but has nothing to do with them at all.

For those of you still unsure about what Furries are, here is a quick breakdown: The genre, commonly called Furry Fandom, revolves around the love of fictional mammalian anthropomorphic characters. Devotees dress up as animals and engage in animal-like behaviors like grooming sessions. The genre comes complete with it’s own slang terms, conventions (furcon), online communities and role-playing games. There are a number of furries who have been outspoken in the media over the years about the fact that most furries are ordinary people who like dressing up as animals, not ‘perverts’ or ‘freaks.’ For this reason, they resent it when situations like this cast Furry Fandom in a negative light.