TOLEDO, Ohio – Lucas Russell Vanwoert, 27, of Celina, Ohio, is going down for a long time. Vanwoert was sentenced to 97 months (more than eight years) in prison by U.S. District Judge James R. Knepp, II for possession and transportation of child pornography, transportation of obscene materials, and creating an animal crush video.
According to court documents, Vanwoert created an animal crush video in 2022 with the intent to distribute. An animal crush video is defined as any photograph, motion picture, film, video, or digital recording, or electronic image that depicts actual conduct in which one or more living non-human mammals, birds, reptiles, or amphibians is intentionally crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, impaled, or otherwise subjected to serious bodily injury, or bestiality and is obscene.
Authorities seized three severely emaciated dogs that Vanwoert was abusing, and one recently deceased dog in the backyard of his residence. They also seized several electronic devices that were found to contain videos of child pornography, which involved prepubescent children, as well as animal crush videos, as part of an executed search warrant at Vanwoert’s residence in Celina. At least one of Vanwoert’s dogs was used to create the animal crush videos.
Homeland Security Investigations Agent Jason Guyton was the lead investigator. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sara Al-Sorghali and Michelle M. Baeppler.
The federal government is cracking down on animal cruelty and child exploitation, and Vanwoert is the latest to feel the heat. In addition to his prison sentence, Vanwoert was ordered to serve 15 years of supervised release, required to register as a sex offender, and is prohibited from owning or possessing a pet in the future.
This case is a stark reminder that animal cruelty and child exploitation are serious crimes that will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and bring you updates as more information becomes available.
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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