Pennsylvania man pleads guilty in ohio federal court to monkey torture video crimes

A Pennsylvania man admitted participating in a disturbing international scheme that funded the torture and killing of monkeys for videos shared through encrypted online groups, federal prosecutors announced.

A Pennsylvania man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Cincinnati to conspiring to create and distribute so-called “animal crush” videos depicting extreme violence and sexual abuse involving monkeys.

Federal prosecutors said Hugh T. Campbell participated in an online network that paid individuals in Indonesia to carry out acts of torture against monkeys on camera, with the videos then distributed through encrypted chat groups.

Key Points

• Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty in federal court in Cincinnati

• Prosecutors say conspirators paid individuals in Indonesia to torture monkeys

• Defendant allegedly praised graphic videos and requested more extreme content

The guilty plea was entered Thursday in the U.S. District Court in Cincinnati.

According to court documents, Campbell and others used encrypted messaging platforms to coordinate payments and requests for increasingly violent acts to be performed on monkeys and recorded for distribution.

Prosecutors detail graphic allegations

Federal investigators said Campbell was an active participant in online groups dedicated to producing and sharing the videos.

According to court filings, members of the conspiracy directed money to individuals in Indonesia willing to carry out requested acts of abuse.

Prosecutors cited messages allegedly sent by Campbell in response to videos he viewed.

“That video was awesome. Nice and gruesome,” Campbell wrote in one chat, according to court records.

In another message, prosecutors said Campbell complained after a monkey survived abuse depicted in a video.

“It’s just so unsatisfying to see a live monkey at the end,” he allegedly wrote.

Federal law bans animal crush videos

The creation and distribution of animal crush videos is prohibited under federal law.

The statute criminalizes visual depictions showing animals being intentionally tortured, mutilated, injured, or killed for the purpose of producing such content.

Authorities said the conspiracy involved both financing and distributing the videos through private online channels.

Ohio federal prosecutors announce case

The case was announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio, making it one of the highest-profile animal cruelty prosecutions handled in federal court in the state this year.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson, U.S. Attorney Dominick Gercace II, and FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Jason Cromartie announced the guilty plea.

The FBI and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement investigated the case.

Sentencing expected later

Federal officials did not immediately announce a sentencing date.

Campbell now faces punishment under federal law for his role in the conspiracy, with sentencing to be determined by a federal judge after reviewing sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

The investigation into online animal torture networks has resulted in multiple prosecutions nationwide as federal authorities continue targeting individuals involved in financing, producing, and distributing the graphic videos.

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