Scituate Man Sentenced to Prison for Creating and Distributing Monkey Torture Videos
Scituate Man Sentenced to Prison for Creating and Distributing Monkey Torture Videos
Scituate Ma-(plimoth) A Scituate, Massachusetts man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in creating and distributing graphic videos depicting the torture of monkeys, according to federal prosecutors.
Garrett Fitzgerald was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges related to the production and distribution of so-called animal crush videos, which depict extreme acts of animal abuse and are illegal under federal law.
Prosecutors said Fitzgerald helped fund the creation of the videos, sending money to individuals overseas who carried out the abuse. The videos were then shared through encrypted online platforms among members of an international network.
In addition to his prison sentence, Fitzgerald will serve three years of supervised release and complete 100 hours of community service. Other defendants connected to the same case have received longer sentences.
The investigation was led by the FBI and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with federal officials emphasizing that authorities are increasing efforts to crack down on online animal cruelty networks operating across borders.
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