A South Florida man was sentenced to five years in prison for distributing videos depicting the sexual torture and mutilation of baby monkeys, the Department of Justice announced.
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Francisco Javier Ravelo, 36, of Coral Gables, pleaded guilty in March after being charged in October, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
“The production and distribution of obscene animal crush videos is a felony,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “In passing the Animal Crushing statute, Congress recognized that cruelty to animals desensitizes participants to the suffering of human beings. This sentence is a warning to all future would-be creators and consumers of animal crushing that they risk federal prosecution and imprisonment for these crimes.”
“Even when offenders use advanced technology and exclusive, invitation-only groups to hide their illegal activities, HSI will relentlessly pursue them and ensure they are held accountable. Our team worked tirelessly to stop Ravelo’s egregious crimes and prevent further harm, and we remain committed to bringing others who commit these offenses to justice,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Wright of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans.
What the disturbing videos showed
Prosecutors said Ravelo created online group chats to distribute more than 40 violent and sexual videos depicting baby and adult monkeys being mutilated and burned.
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“This case is deeply disturbing,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “As a former state court trial judge who presided over domestic violence cases, I was trained to recognize lethality factors, warning signs that violence is escalating. Deliberate cruelty to animals is one of the clearest red flags. It reflects a willingness to dominate, torture, and inflict suffering without remorse.”
President Donald Trump signed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act into law during his first term. The law criminalizes animal crushing, in which animals are subjected to extreme acts of cruelty and injury. Authorities said the acts are often filmed to create “animal crush videos” for sexual gratification and shock value.
“If you are involved in this sadistic activity, we will prosecute you,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD).
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