Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty to Creating Animal Crush Videos

DOJ News

Filed April 1st, 2026

Detected April 2nd, 2026

Summary

Joseph Garrett Buckland of Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty to conspiracy to create and distribute animal crush videos depicting monkey torture. Buckland collected money and participated in online groups dedicated to creating and distributing obscene torture content. Sentencing is scheduled for October 29, 2026, with a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

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What changed

Joseph Garrett Buckland entered a guilty plea to conspiracy charges under the federal Animal Crushing statute for his role in creating and distributing videos depicting the torture of monkeys, including baby and adult monkeys having limbs broken and genitals mutilated. Buckland was a member of online chat groups and private payment groups dedicated to producing and distributing these illegal materials, and personally collected funds to create such content. He was charged on February 26 and pleaded guilty on April 1, 2026.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in collaboration with the FBI. Sentencing is scheduled for October 29, 2026, in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Buckland faces up to five years in prison for conspiracy to create and/or distribute animal crush videos. The Justice Department emphasized that these offenses are serious federal crimes often linked to additional dangerous and violent conduct, and that enforcement will continue against individuals engaged in animal cruelty.

Penalties

Maximum 5 years in prison for conspiracy to create and/or distribute animal crush videos

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News

Press Release

Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty to Creating and Distributing Animal Crush Videos

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Share For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs Joseph Garrett Buckland, of Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to create and distribute “animal crush” videos. Buckland was charged on Feb. 26 with violating the federal Animal Crushing statute.

According to court documents and statements made in court during a change of plea hearing, Buckland 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 having their limbs broken and genitals mutilated. Buckland personally collected money to create and distribute obscene torture videos.

“Today’s plea should serve as a warning: animal crush videos are illegal, and we will prosecute individuals engaged in this sadistic behavior,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “Investigating and prosecuting cases like this is not easy, and we commend all who worked to bring this perpetrator to justice.”

“Producing and trafficking in animal crush videos is a serious federal crime,” said United States Attorney Rivetti. “Intentionally inflicting harm and torture on innocent animals not only feeds a broader market of criminal depravity, it also often is linked to, or leads to, additional dangerous and violent conduct that further erodes society and public safety. With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to investigate and prosecute all crimes involving violations of federal law relating to horrific acts of cruelty to animals.”

“Buckland’s decisions, actions, and financial investments directly contributed to the brutal torture of defenseless animals,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Wright of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans. “Thanks to the diligent investigative efforts of our special agents, in collaboration with the FBI, he has now admitted his role and will face justice in federal court. HSI will continue to investigate these heinous crimes and work with our law enforcement partners, domestically and abroad, to identify, pursue, and hold offenders accountable.”

Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 29. Buckland faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for conspiracy to create and/or distribute animal crush videos. A U.S. District Court judge will determine sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

HSI investigated the case.

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

Updated April 1, 2026 Topic Animal Welfare Components Environment and Natural Resources Division ENRD - Environmental Crimes Section USAO - Pennsylvania, Western Press Release Number: 26-310