A man from Pennsylvania has admitted to participating in online groups that created and shared videos of monkeys being tortured and sexually abused, according to a press release from the Department of Justice.
Hugh T. Campbell pleaded guilty earlier this month in federal court to conspiring to create and distribute these “animal crush” videos.
He was among 11 individuals indicted in May for allegedly paying Nicholas T. Dryden — a central figure in the global monkey torture ring charged in 2024 — to arrange for a minor in Indonesia to carry out the requested cruelty.
The 79 acts of abuse allegedly funded by the defendants included genital mutilation and violent sexual assault involving household objects.
Court records indicate that Campbell also exchanged messages reacting to monkey torture content, writing “That video was awesome. Nice and gruesome,” and “It’s just so unsatisfying to see a live monkey at the end.”
Campbell could be sentenced to up to five years in prison for his role in the sadistic scheme.
Lady Freethinker and Action for Primates first exposed the horrific, underground world of baby monkey torture in 2021 after investigating a private group paying for custom videos online. Evidence gathered through those investigations contributed to the BBC documentary “The Monkey Haters” and has been shared with law enforcement across the globe.
Since that time, numerous individuals involved with these groups have been charged and convicted. The harm inflicted on these monkeys cannot be undone, but continued vigilance and public action can help bring an end to the cruelty.
The suffering these defenseless monkeys endured is unimaginable. Lady Freethinker remains committed to uncovering this abuse and pursuing justice for every animal victim by holding those responsible accountable.
