Francisco Javier Ravelo, a U.S. citizen from Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to distributing videos depicting the physical and sexual torture of monkeys, facing up to seven years in prison. Ravelo entered his guilty plea March 2 following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations.
“Homeland Security Investigations pieced together the case that led to Ravelo’s guilty plea,” said ICE Director Todd M. Lyons. “He personally distributed more than 40 animal crushing videos to other people, but he didn’t count on HSI being able to track him down, pull together evidence and present it to the judge. Now he knows better. I hope this serves as a warning to others who acquire or distribute this kind of content: HSI will find you, and you’ll end up in federal court just like Ravelo did.”
According to court documents, Ravelo created and administered online chat groups dedicated to distributing and discussing sexual and violent videos involving monkeys being tortured. He personally distributed more than 40 animal crushing videos to other individuals through those groups.
The investigation that led to Ravelo’s guilty plea involved multiple federal agencies with ties to Florida. HSI New Orleans, HSI Pensacola, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division all contributed to building the case against Ravelo.
Ravelo now faces a maximum sentence of up to seven years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been announced.