Friday Harbor woman charged with animal cruelty

Warning: This article contains information about sexual acts with animals.

Stephanie Romero-Suchara, 28, of Friday Harbor has been charged with two counts of animal cruelty in the first degree in San Juan County Superior Court.

According to documents filed on Feb. 5, Romero-Suchara allegedly engaged in sexual acts with two dogs, one of which she owns. The reporting party, who is not a resident of San Juan County, alerted the sheriff’s office that she had seen videos containing the defendant engaging in sexual activity with the dogs. She gained access to the videos and forwarded them to a deputy.

A total of 12 files were sent – 10 videos and two photographs. Romero-Suchara is “clearly identified” in some of the files, according to the probable cause statement. When interviewed, she reportedly admitted to the acts and said the videos were made with a cellphone in Friday Harbor approximately a year ago. The dogs were identified as one belonging to her and the other to her sister.

An arraignment is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 19. Romero-Suchara has no previous criminal history.