JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (June 20, 2024) —In Defense of Animals applauds the sentencing of Nicole Devilbiss, who was charged with conspiring to create and share crush videos depicting monkeys being tortured and killed. On June 18, U.S. District Judge Wendy Berger sentenced Devilbiss to serve four years and three months in federal prison of the five year possible sentence.

In Defense of Animals sent State Attorney Roger B. Handberg a letter with 13,593 signatures seeking maximum sentencing for Devilbiss.

A tip from an informant  led to multi-agency investigation that uncovered Devilbiss as the administrator of a Telegram group that was sharing thousands of messages and and funding videos depicting the abuse and torture of monkeys.

Armed with a search and seizure warrant on October 31, 2023, authorities entered Devilbiss’ home uncovering evidence to support her arrest for conspiracy to create and distribute animal crush videos. Investigators noted that Devilbiss said she found relief in engaging in crush videos.,

It was reported that Devilbiss told investigators that she originally thought “to help stop the torture of monkeys, but later transitioned to a dark place where she found relief from viewing monkey torture videos,” according to court records. She admitted to her depraved involvement in “crush videos”.

Crush videos, or crush porn, depict animals being tortured, mutilated, and killed for the sexual gratification and sadistic satisfaction of viewers. The creation, sale, and distribution of these videos was banned in 2010 under the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act, which was strengthened in 2019 by the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, which made involvement a federal crime. 

“The depravity it takes to lust for the torture of any creature is unthinkable to a populace that is known for pampering animal companions and seeking humane and genuine care while we work to end the exploitation of animals abused for food, entertainment, research, and the other abuses society has failed to recognize. The intentional torture of animals is a crime that is recognized as a blight on society that must be wiped out,” said In Defense of Animals Senior Campaigner Doll Stanley. “We’re grateful to investigators and agencies involved in pursuing this case and upholding the law intended to stop this horrific underground activity.”

CONTACT: Doll Stanley, doll@idausa.org, (662) 809-4483

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a 40-year history of defending animals, people, and the environment through education and campaigns, as well as hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, California, and rural Mississippi. www.idausa.org/justice4animals

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