Illinois Woman Pleads Guilty to Distributing and Conspiring to Create and Distribute Animal Crush Videos Showing Violent Torture of Monkeys

Amanda Leigh Fourez, of Catlin, Illinois, pleaded guilty today to charges of distributing and conspiracy to create and distribute animal crush videos through online chat groups.

According to court documents and statements made in court during the change of plea hearing, Fourez paid thousands of dollars to commission bespoke sexual torture videos of monkeys, and later she distributed the obscene crush videos over the Internet. Fourez archived and controlled the distribution of animal crush videos. She was a member of several online chat groups and private payment groups dedicated to the creation, distribution, and discussion of sexual and violent videos depicting monkeys being tortured, including baby and adult monkeys being burned and their genitals mutilated.

Fourez is the second individual to be charged in this animal crush conspiracy ring. Another member of these groups, Joseph Garrett Buckland, of Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to create and distribute animal crush videos earlier this month.

Fourez faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the conspiracy charge and a maximum penalty of seven years in prison for the distribution charge and a fine of up to $500,000. A judge will determine the sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other factors.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Wright of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans, and Special Agent in Charge Richard Evanchec of the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office made the announcement.

HSI New Orleans' Cyber and Human Exploitation Investigations and the FBI investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Emily R. Stone of ENRD's Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly M. Locher for the Western District of Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case.