Illinois woman pleads guilty to distributing violent, sexual animal crushing videos following ICE investigation

WASHINGTON - Amanda Leigh Fourez, a U.S. citizen from Illinois, paid thousands of dollars to have others make sexual torture videos involving adult and baby monkeys for people in deranged online chat groups. Known as "animal crush videos," these depictions show real monkeys being burned alive, having their genitals mutilated, and experiencing other atrocities. Fourez pleaded guilty April 15 in federal court.

Fourez was a member of several online chat groups and private payment groups dedicated to making, distributing and discussing violent and sexual videos of this nature. She's not the first U.S. citizen to plead guilty in this animal crushing conspiracy ring. Another member of these groups, Joseph Garrett Buckland, of Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, who pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to create and distribute animal crush videos in early April.

"Fourez admitted to her role in making these horrific videos and posting them online," said ICE Director Todd M. Lyons. "What kind of sick person would pay someone make a video of sexualized animal torture? ICE will continue investigating these sadistic online groups and do everything in our power to stop them."

ICE Homeland Security Investigations' New Orleans Cyber and Human Exploitation Investigations and the FBI investigated the case. Although many Americans think ICE's work is strictly immigration related, ICE enforces over 400 federal laws and statutes, including cybercrimes.

You can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

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