S. Fla Porn Star Accused Of Animal Cruelty Under House Arrest
MIAMI (CBS4) - A judge Thursday ruled that Miami's now infamous Santeria practicing porn star will be allowed out of jail and placed on house arrest as he awaits trial on 22 counts of animal cruelty.
Raul Armenteros was arrested last week after police found he had left a van full of goats, chickens, pigeons and a duck baking in the summer sun. One of the goats died shortly after police arrived.
Armenteros told police the animals were going to be part of an animal sacrifice as part of his religious beliefs.
CBS4's Jim DeFede reports that in court Thursday morning, Armenteros, 46, appeared wearing the standard orange jail jump suit. Members of his family were in the courtroom as well.
"What do you do for a living, sir?" asked Miami Dade Circuit Court Judge Jorge Cueto.
"I'm a model," Armenteros responded.
"Oh, a model," the judge responded, clearly not believing Armenteros.
It appears the judge was well aware of who was appearing before him. Known by the screen names of "Ramon" and "The Monster," Armenteros shoots for a variety of adult websites in South Florida. He is arguably Miami's biggest porn star.
Armentieres's public defender argued that state prosecutors had over charged their client and that his $110,000 bond was excessive. The judge agreed and said he was inclined to release Armenteros from jail and have him placed instead on house arrest where he would be required to wear an ankle monitor.
"As much as I think [animal cruelty] is disgusting, I can't go around the statute," Judge Cueto explained.
But before ruling, Cueto kept returning to Armenteros's professional life. Once again the judge turned to Armenteros and asked: "What do you do for a living, sir?"
"I'm a porno star," Armenteros finally declared.
"How are you going to be a porno star with a GPS [attached to your ankle]?" the judge asked. "I'm not going to allow that."
The judge also seemed to question why Armenteros was assigned a public defender.
"In his line of business he makes some money," the judge noted. "And from what I understand he's famous or infamous."
Ultimately the judge agreed to release Armenteros, but he also made clear that as long as he is under house arrest he can't make any more movies.
