A man who worked with others to create and share videos of “extreme violence” against monkeys has reached a plea deal with prosecutors.
Ronald Bedra, from Etna, Ohio, conspired with others to distribute the content which “depicted acts of sadistic violence” against both baby and adult monkeys, the Department of Justice said on Monday.
The torture included the primates having their “digits and limbs severed” and being sexually assaulted with “a heated screwdriver”, the department added.
Mr Bedra and his co-conspirators used encrypted chat apps to send money to people in Indonesia who were willing to commit the requested torture on camera.
He also sent a thumb drive with 64 videos of monkey torture to an unnamed co-conspirator in Wisconsin, say officials.
Court records stated that Bedra used the screen name “DemonSwordSoulCrusher” and that he moderated an online group called “Million Tears,” where the videos were shared and discussed.
A sentencing date has not yet been set in the case.