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, entered his plea before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan. The case involves videos depicting the violent torture of monkeys and the pooling of funds by Buckland and others to commission these acts for distribution via an instant messaging application.
According to information presented in court, Buckland admitted sending money more than 15 times to commission animal crush videos. He also collected funds from other participants in the conspiracy for the purpose of creating and distributing these videos among group members.
“Producing and trafficking in animal crush videos is a serious federal crime,” said United States Attorney Troy Rivetti. “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 is scheduled for October 29. The statutory maximum penalty includes up to five years imprisonment or a fine up to $250,000 or both; however actual sentencing will be determined based on federal guidelines considering offense severity as well as any prior criminal history.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans’ Cyber and Human Exploitation Investigations unit along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
