Mount Pleasant Resident Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Create and Distribute Animal Crush Videos Containing Violent Torture of Monkeys

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to create and distribute animal crush videos, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Joseph Garrett Buckland, 44, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Buckland and others conspired to pool their money to commission the creation of animal crush videos-that is, videos that show actual obscene conduct in which living non-human mammals, in this case, monkeys, were purposely crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, impaled, or otherwise subjected to serious bodily injury-and then distributed those videos to other group members and chat groups via an instant messaging application. Buckland admitted to sending money on more than 15 occasions to commission animal crush videos and collecting money from others involved in the conspiracy to pool resources to commission such videos for distribution to individuals on the instant messaging app.

"Producing and trafficking in animal crush videos is a serious federal crime," said United States Attorney Rivetti. "Intentionally inflicting harm and torture on innocent animals not only feeds a broader market of criminal depravity, it also often is linked to, or leads to, additional dangerous and violent conduct that further erodes society and public safety. With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to investigate and prosecute all crimes involving violations of federal law relating to horrific acts of cruelty to animals."

"Today's plea should serve as a warning: animal crush videos are illegal and we will prosecute individuals engaged in this sadistic behavior," said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division. "Investigating and prosecuting cases like this is not easy, and we commend all who worked to bring this perpetrator to justice."

"Buckland's decisions, actions, and financial investments directly contributed to the brutal torture of defenseless animals," said Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Wright of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans. "Thanks to the diligent investigative efforts of our special agents, in collaboration with the FBI, he has now admitted his role and will face justice in federal court. HSI will continue to investigate these heinous crimes and work with our law enforcement partners, domestically and abroad, to identify, pursue, and hold offenders accountable."

Judge Ranjan scheduled sentencing for October 29, 2026. The law provides for a total sentence of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Kelly M. Locher of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania and Trial Attorney Emily Stone of the Department of Justice's Environment and Natural Resources Division are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans' Cyber and Human Exploitation Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Buckland.