CINCINNATI – A sinister monkey torturing ring has been dismantled in Ohio as two individuals faced federal charges this week for their involvement with online groups. Nicholas T. Dryden and Giancarlo Morelli were arrested for conspiracy to create and distribute ‘animal crush videos’ that depicted heinous acts of violence against monkeys.
Dryden, hailing from Cincinnati, was also charged with producing the cruel videos himself, as well as production, distribution, and receipt of a visual depiction of the sexual abuse of children due to his involvement with a minor in Indonesia. According to court documents, the two co-defendants allegedly conspired to create and distribute videos showing sadistic violence against monkeys, including genital mutilation and sodomization.
The alleged videos, if true, included monkeys being burned, cut with scissors, and subjected to brutal sexual abuse. Dryden was said to have funneled money through himself to pay the minor in Indonesia for the graphic acts captured on camera. The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, while charges related to animal crush videos carry up to seven years. Child abuse charges could see Dryden sentenced to 20 years.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and FBI led the investigation into this twisted case, with Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Oakley prosecution duties falling to them. It’s a stark reminder that the internet is not a shield against justice for those who would exploit the most vulnerable.
Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim and U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker announced the charges, emphasizing that an indictment is merely an allegation and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
RELATED: Devilbiss Gets 4 Years for Sick Monkey Torture Videos
RELATED: King Demon Pleads Guilty to Racketeering, Drug Charges
Related Federal Cases
- Heroin Smuggling Ring Busted in Ohio; 55 Indicted · Ohio
- Coast-to-Coast Cocaine Ring Busted in Cleveland · Ohio
- FDIC OKs Erebor Bank Deposit Insurance in Ohio · Ohio
- FDIC Appoints Five New Members to Advisory Committee on Community Banking · Mississippi
- Hinds Sentenced for Narcotics Ring Leadership · Ohio
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Cybercrime|Sex Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
