Man arrested in animal sex case

• Associated Press • July 9, 2008 HOBART, Ind. -- A man whose animal cruelty conviction led to a state law making sexual relations with animals a crime has been indicted on charges of downloading obscene images and videos involving sex and animals. Michael Bessigano, 37, of Hobart, was arrested last week by federal authorities on a charge of transportation of obscene materials involving bestiality between February and June. U.S. Magistrate Paul Cherry ordered Bessigano to undergo psychological evaluation to determine whether he was sane at the time of the most recent alleged offense. Bessigano's attorney, John Martin, did not return a call yesterday seeking comment. Bessigano served more than four years in state prison for a 2002 animal cruelty conviction for stealing a chicken from a farmer, having sex with the animal in a... [read full story]