A federal grand jury indicted two people accused of creating and distributing videos of monkeys being tortured.<\/p>\n
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio announced the unsealing of the indictment in a news release, charging Katrina D. Favret and Robert M. Craig for their “alleged involvement with online groups dedicated to creating and distributing videos depicting acts of extreme violence and sexual abuse against monkeys.”<\/p>\n
These videos were allegedly made and distributed with the help of a third man, Ronald P. Bedra, who was sentenced to 54 months in prison after pleading guilty to similar charges last year, according to a Department of Justice news release.<\/p>\n
Court documents obtained by PEOPLE allege that Favret and Craig outsourced the making of these videos to individuals in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
In most cases, the two would allegedly contact an individual and detail a specific form of abuse they wished to see performed, according to these newly unsealed documents. If that person was willing to perform said abuse on a monkey on camera, they were paid a small fee.<\/p>\n
The pair then distributed these “videos depicting acts of sadistic violence against juvenile and adult monkeys,” according to the release.<\/p>\n
The release also details some of the more specific and graphic actions the duo are accused of commissioning.<\/p>\n
“The videos alleged to have been created as part of the conspiracy included depictions of monkeys being sodomized with a heated screwdriver and a monkey having its genitals cut with scissors,” the release alleges.<\/p>\n
Favret and Craig have not yet entered a plea to these charges and lawyers for the two did not respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n
This article by Chris Spargo was first published by People on 13 June 2025.Lead Image: Balinese long-tailed Macaques (stock photo). Credit : Muhammed Selim Korkutata\/Anadolu via Getty.
\n<\/i><\/p>\nWildlife in catastrophic decline<\/h2>\n
The 73% decline in vertebrate wildlife populations during the last 50 years (mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish), is primarily driven by human activities that threaten biodiversity.<\/p>\n
Habitat Loss and Degradation<\/em> – human activities like deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture have led to the destruction and fragmentation of natural habitats, reducing the space and resources available for wildlife.<\/p>\n Pollution<\/em> – air, water, and soil pollution from industrial activities, agriculture, and other sources can harm wildlife directly or indirectly by affecting their habitats and food sources.<\/p>\n Climate Change<\/em> – changing weather patterns, rising temperatures, and sea levels are disrupting ecosystems and impacting species’ ability to adapt and survive.<\/p>\n Overexploitation of Resources<\/em> – unsustainable hunting, fishing, and logging practices can lead to the depletion of populations and the loss of biodiversity.<\/p>\n Invasive Species<\/em> – the introduction of non-native species can disrupt ecosystems, compete with native species, and threaten their survival.<\/p>\n