A Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania resident pleaded guilty on April 1 to a federal charge of conspiracy to create and distribute animal crush videos, according to United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Joseph Garrett Buckland, age 44, admitted guilt before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan. Prosecutors said Buckland and others pooled money to commission videos depicting the torture of monkeys through crushing, burning, drowning, suffocation, impalement or other serious harm. The group then distributed these videos among themselves and through chat groups using an instant messaging application. Buckland acknowledged sending money more than 15 times for this purpose and collecting funds from others involved in the scheme.
"Producing and trafficking in animal crush videos is a serious federal crime," Rivetti said. "Intentionally inflicting harm and torture on innocent animals not only feeds a broader market of criminal depravity, it also often is linked to, or leads to, additional dangerous and violent conduct that further erodes society and public safety. With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to investigate and prosecute all crimes involving violations of federal law relating to horrific acts of cruelty to animals."
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division said: "Today’s plea should serve as a warning: animal crush videos are illegal and we will prosecute individuals engaged in this sadistic behavior. Investigating and prosecuting cases like this is not easy, and we commend all who worked to bring this perpetrator to justice." Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Wright of Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans added: "Buckland’s decisions, actions, and financial investments directly contributed to the brutal torture of defenseless animals. Thanks to the diligent investigative efforts of our special agents, in collaboration with the FBI, he has now admitted his role and will face justice in federal court. HSI will continue to investigate these heinous crimes and work with our law enforcement partners, domestically and abroad, to identify, pursue, and hold offenders accountable."
Sentencing for Buckland is scheduled for October 29. He faces up to five years in prison or a fine up to $250,000 under federal sentencing guidelines; actual penalties depend on offense severity as well as any prior criminal history.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly M. Locher from the Western District of Pennsylvania along with Trial Attorney Emily Stone from the Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.
Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans’ Cyber and Human Exploitation Investigations unit collaborated with the Federal Bureau of Investigation during their investigation.
