Bryan Wesley Edison, a 32-year-old resident of Carver, Minnesota, has been indicted on sixteen federal counts related to animal crushing. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson announced the charges, which stem from Edison’s alleged creation and distribution of hundreds of videos depicting the torture and killing of animals. These videos were published and sold through pay-per-view YouTube channels operated by Edison.
“Animal crushing is not only sickening, it is a federal crime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “When someone takes pleasure in the torture of defenseless animals, it signals a deeper danger to our community. Especially in these troubled times, we will not allow these warning signs to go unchecked.”
The Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (PACT Act), signed into law in 2019, expanded federal prohibitions against acts such as crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise inflicting serious bodily injury on living mammals, birds, reptiles, or amphibians. The act was intended to address concerns that individuals who intentionally harm animals may pose broader risks to society.
According to authorities, since 2022 Edison managed several YouTube channels that featured nearly 350 videos showing various forms of animal cruelty for viewers’ entertainment. The animals involved included birds, hamsters, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, lizards and other large reptiles, dogs, and snapping turtles. Some videos were freely accessible while others required paid subscriptions at different membership levels ranging from $0.99 to $99.99 per month; higher tiers allowed access to custom-commissioned content.
Edison reportedly created scenarios where live animals were placed in artificial enclosures before being subjected to prolonged torture and death by impalement, crushing, drowning, suffocation or being dismembered alive by larger animals. He also developed logos for his channels and sold branded merchandise.
Authorities state that Edison promoted his content using titles emphasizing violence and suffering such as “slow death,” “shred,” “cracks head open,” “screaming,” “tear apart,” “kills mouse brutally,” and “THAT REALLY HURTS.” He narrated many videos with commentary describing the ongoing abuse.
YouTube ultimately removed Edison’s channels—including “Prince’s Pet Planet” and “Prince’s Chomp Squad”—for repeated violations of its policies on violent content.
“Animal crushing is an appalling abuse of power over vulnerable creatures,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr., FBI Minneapolis. “The exercise of violence over the defenseless is never acceptable. The FBI stands with our law enforcement partners to rigorously enforce the laws that prevent and punish such heinous acts of cruelty.”
The case was investigated by the FBI and will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Evans.
An indictment is an allegation; the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
