Authorities in Florida say a man was arrested on suspicion of engaging in sexual acts with an animal.

According to WSVN, 21-year-old Nicholas Anthony Sardo is facing criminal charges related to allegations that he repeatedly had sex with a miniature horse.

In a statement posted on Facebook this week, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the suspect was arrested after multiple witnesses reported the alleged acts of bestiality.

The animal was identified as “a miniature male pony named Jackie G.,” authorities reported.

Sardo reportedly confessed to victimizing the animal while at a pasture belonging to one of his relatives.

When one witness approached him, he allegedly told her that he was having sex with the horse. Detectives say he offered a similar confession following his arrest.

“Sardo added that he had sex with the horse four times during the course of a week, and that he used a condom each time because he didn’t want to get a disease from the horse,” the sheriff’s office reported. “Additionally, Sardo told Detective Juliano that he knew he was wrong for what he did and that he was a sick man.”

He is expected to face criminal charges including four counts of having sexual contact with an animal.

As of the latest reports available, he remained behind bars at the Marion County Jail.

Jackie G. is under the care of his owner, according to authorities, and a judge is expected to rule on stipulations regarding the suspect’s “future contact with the horse” in a forthcoming decision.

[Featured image: Nicholas Anthony Sardo, Marion County Sheriff’s Office]