DOJ: Woman Sentenced for Animal Crush Video Conspiracy
Summary
The Department of Justice announced that Katrina Favret of Tennessee was sentenced to 40 months in prison for conspiring to create and distribute videos depicting extreme violence against monkeys. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the FBI.
What changed
The Department of Justice announced the sentencing of Katrina Favret to 40 months in prison and three years of supervised release for her role in a conspiracy to create and distribute "animal crush videos." Favret used encrypted chat applications to direct individuals in Indonesia to film acts of torture against monkeys, providing specific instructions and distributing the resulting videos within an online group. She pleaded guilty to conspiring to create and distribute such videos and to creating them.
This case highlights the DOJ's focus on prosecuting animal cruelty crimes, particularly those involving organized online distribution of violent content. Regulated entities, especially those in technology or online platforms, should be aware of the severe penalties associated with facilitating or distributing such illegal content. While this is an individual sentencing, it underscores the government's commitment to investigating and prosecuting violations of animal welfare laws, which can carry significant prison time and supervised release requirements.
What to do next
- Review internal policies and controls related to content moderation and illegal activity reporting.
- Ensure compliance with federal laws prohibiting animal cruelty and the distribution of violent content.
Penalties
40 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
Source document (simplified)
MENU News
Archived Press Releases
Press Release
Tennessee Woman Sentenced to 40 Months in Prison for Conspiring to Create and Distribute Videos Depicting Monkey Torture and Mutilation
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Share For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs A Tennessee woman was sentenced today to 40 months in prison and three years of supervised release in connection with her involvement with online groups dedicated to creating and distributing videos depicting acts of extreme violence and sexual abuse against monkeys.
Katrina Favret, of Greeneville, Tennessee, pleaded guilty on Nov. 7, 2025, to conspiring to create and distribute so-called “animal crush videos,” and with creating animal crush videos.
According to court documents, Favret used encrypted chat applications to direct money to individuals in Indonesia willing to create videos depicting acts of sadistic violence against baby and adult monkeys. Favret would send specific instructions describing the acts of torture she wished to see and would then distribute the resulting videos to others in the online group.
According to a statement of facts Favret signed, the videos in question included numerous depictions of extreme violence and torture against monkeys that had been specifically requested by the defendant and her co-conspirators.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) and U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II for the Southern District of Ohio made the announcement.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and FBI investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Mark Romley and Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Pakiz for the Southern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case.
Updated March 19, 2026 Topics Animal Welfare Wildlife Components Environment and Natural Resources Division Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) USAO - Ohio, Southern Press Release Number: 26-266
Related Content
Press Release Justice Department Secures Order Against Michigan Pet Store Owner to Allow Inspectors Access to Assess Health and Well-Being of Animals A federal court issued a temporary restraining order against K&M Pets LLC which owns a pet store in Saginaw, Michigan, that sells and offers encounters with exotic animals. The order...
March 3, 2026
Press Release Miami-Area Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Videos Depicting Sexual Torture of Baby Monkeys Francisco Javier Ravelo, 36, of Coral Gables, Florida, pleaded guilty to distributing videos depicting the torture of monkeys, in violation of the federal Animal Crushing statute. Ravelo was charged in...
March 2, 2026
Press Release Attorney General Bondi Announces Department of Justice Prioritization of Animal Welfare Enforcement Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced today a historic plan to combat animal welfare crimes and to strengthen coordination and enforcement efforts between federal agencies, including the Department’s Environment and Natural...
February 18, 2026
Related changes
Source
Classification
Who this affects
Taxonomy
Browse Categories
Get Courts & Legal alerts
Weekly digest. AI-summarized, no noise.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Get alerts for this source
We'll email you when DOJ News publishes new changes.