ETNA, Ohio — A Licking County man pleaded guilty to creating and distributing videos depicting “extreme violence and sexual abuse” against monkeys, according to U.S. Attorney Kenneth Parker’s office.
Ronald Bedra’s plea agreement was unsealed Monday in federal court. He pleaded guilty to conspiring to create and distribute “animal crush” videos.
Court documents say Bedra, an Etna resident, conspired with others to create and distribute videos depicting acts of sadistic violence against baby and adult monkeys, including having digits and limbs severed.
Those reportedly involved used encrypted chat apps to direct money to individuals in Indonesia willing to commit acts of torture on camera.
Parker’s office says Bedra mailed a thumb drive containing 64 videos of monkey torture to a co-conspirator in Wisconsin.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and FBI investigated the case.
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