An Ohio man, Ronald P. Bedra of Etna, has pleaded guilty to creating and distributing videos that depict extreme violence and sexual abuse against monkeys. The plea agreement was unsealed today.
Bedra admitted to conspiring to create and distribute so-called "animal crush" videos. Court documents reveal that Bedra conspired with others to produce and disseminate videos showcasing sadistic violence against baby and adult monkeys. The acts included severing digits and limbs, as well as forcible sodomy with a heated screwdriver.
The conspirators utilized encrypted chat applications to direct funds towards individuals in Indonesia who were willing to commit the requested acts of torture on camera. Furthermore, Bedra mailed a thumb drive containing 64 videos of monkey torture to a co-conspirator located in Wisconsin.
The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker for the Southern District of Ohio.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service along with the FBI. It is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Mark Romley, Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman from the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Pakiz for the Southern District of Ohio.