The US Flag flies above a sign marking the US Department of Justice (DOJ) headquarters building on January 20, 2024, in Washington, DC. (Photo by J. David Ake/Getty Images)
Warning: This story contains graphic and disturbing content, and may not be suitable for all readers.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) says a Florida man faces up to seven years in prison after he pleaded guilty Monday to distributing videos depicting the torture of monkeys.
What we know:
According to court documents, Francisco Javier Ravelo, 36, of Coral Gables, pleaded guilty to the distribution of sexual and violent videos depicting monkeys being mutilated and burned, including baby and adult monkeys. Court documents also show he created and administered some online chat groups dedicated to the distribution and discussion of sexual and violent videos, and personally distributed more than 40 of these obscene crush videos.
The DOJ said Ravelo was charged in October 2025 under the federal Animal Crushing statute, the primary federal law prohibiting animal crushing and the creation or distribution of animal crushing videos. The statute makes it a federal felony to intentionally crush, burn, drown, suffocate, impale, or otherwise inflict serious bodily injury on animals in interstate commerce, carrying a maximum penalty of up to seven years in prison.
What they're saying:
"In his first term, President Donald J. Trump signed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act into law to end animal crushing," said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) in a release. "If you are involved in this sadistic activity, we will prosecute you."
"Our team worked diligently to ensure Ravelo was held accountable for his egregious crimes and to prevent further harm," said acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Wright of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in a release. "We are grateful for the collaboration that brought this case to resolution and Ravelo to justice."
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case, which is being prosecuted by ENRD and the Southern District of Florida.
The Source: Information in this article was provided by the Department of Justice (DOJ). This story was reported from Orlando.