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Cop allegedly abused cows
Animal cruelty added to list of sex charges
Wed, Apr 30, 2008

MOORESTOWN –Additional charges have been filed against former Moorestown police officer Robert Melia after allegations surfaced last week that he performed several sexual acts with livestock, specifically cows.Melia, 38, of 126 Cottage Avenue in Moorestown has been charged with four counts of animal cruelty after purposely and knowingly tormenting an animal, specifically by having a cow perform fellatio, according to the Burlington County Prosecutor's office.

Due to the nature of the investigation, authorities did not reveal how they uncovered the incidents involving the cows that occurred on four separate occasions between June and December of 2006 in Southampton, which is located within Burlington County.

Police had arrested Melia and his ex-girlfriend, Heather Lewis, 32, of Pemberton, April 12 after allegations surfaced that the pair had sexually assaulted three juvenile females. Each were charged with three counts of first degree aggravated sexual assault and one count of second degree sexual assault.

Melia has been held at Burlington County Jail with a bail of $500,000, according to authorities.

Last week, Burlington County Superior Court Judge John Almeida added an additional $10,000 to that sum because of the new charges, according to authorities.

Officials are still investigating the matter.