Texas ‘furry’ sexually abused minor he brought to fetish-filled costume convention, will spend 20 years in prison

A twisted Texas “furry” will spend two decades in the slammer for molesting a minor at a fetish-filled convention — and commissioning disturbing art of his animal persona having sex with the victim.
Joseph Ray Robertson, 37, pleaded guilty to transporting a minor for sexual exploitation after he brought the victim to Atlanta for a 2024 gathering of adults who dress up as cartoon animals, often for fetish purposes.
“While at the convention, Robertson sexually abused the child by engaging in acts that would constitute child molestation and sodomy under Georgia State law,” the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas said.
Robertson also bought sex toys and commissioned artwork depicting the victim having sex with his “fursona:” a red and white cartoon fox, according to photos obtained by NBC 5.
“Not one person in that convention contacted the authorities to protect the child,” said US Attorney Jay R. Combs. “This defendant’s actions were depraved and absolutely justify every day of the imposed 20-year sentence.”
Robertson, who hails from Frisco, will remain under lifetime supervision even after serving his sentence.
Meanwhile, furry culture is still running wild across the Lone Star State.
Last year, a state bill backed by Gov. Greg Abbott sought to ban “non-human behavior” in schools, including barking and other practices common among furries.
The Forbidden Unlawful Representation of Roleplaying in Education, also known as the FURRIES Act, aimed to prohibit students from barking, hissing, meowing, wearing leashes, fur or tails at public schools in the state.
The proposal — which failed to pass committee — specified that students cannot use litter boxes or licking as means of self-care on school grounds.