Illinois Woman Sentenced to 31 Months in Federal Prison for Monkey Torture Video Ring
Amanda Leigh Fourez of Catlin, Illinois, was sentenced to 31 months in prison for commissioning and distributing online videos depicting extreme torture of monkeys. Officials condemned her 'depraved conduct' involving animal crushing. Co-conspirator Joseph Buckland faces sentencing in January 2027 as federal agencies dismantle the network.
An Illinois woman was sentenced to 31 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for her involvement in online rings dedicated to creating and distributing extreme animal torture and mutilation videos targeting monkeys. Amanda Leigh Fourez of Catlin, Illinois, received the sentence after pleading guilty in April to distributing animal crush videos and conspiring with others to create and distribute the illicit media.
Commission and Distribution of Violent Content
According to court documents and statements made during the sentencing hearing, Fourez participated in multiple private chat and payment groups focused on the production and exchange of violent and s*xual videos depicting monkeys, including baby and adult animals being burned and having their genitals mutilated, reports the US Department of Justice. Pensacola Teen Arrested for Performing S*x Act on Woman's Back Inside Escambia County Walmart.
Investigators stated that Fourez paid thousands of dollars to commission bespoke s*xual torture videos of monkeys before distributing the material online. During the proceedings, the court denied a motion for a downward variance submitted by the defence. Highlighting the severity of the crimes, the court observed that the videos created and distributed by Fourez were “shocking and violent” and documented “agonizing torture” of animals, adding that the sentence should serve as a deterrent against similar conduct.
Broader Investigation and Co-Conspirators
The case is part of a wider federal crackdown on international online networks facilitating animal cruelty. Another participant in the conspiracy, Joseph Garrett Buckland of Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge in April and is scheduled to be sentenced on January 13, 2027.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department's Energy and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) stated: “We stand ready to prosecute this depraved conduct. We appreciate the collaboration of HSI and the U.S. Attorney's Office in rooting out this conspiracy and prosecuting the case.” US: Former Teacher Who Gifted Student S*x Toy Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison.
U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti for the Western District of Pennsylvania added: “Amanda Fourez commissioned mutilation of helpless animals on video, and then disseminated those gruesome videos to an online community of people who were seeking content that portrayed the infliction of severe pain and suffering. Today's sentencing demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners to investigating and prosecuting these serious federal crimes involving cruelty to animals.” Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans' Cyber and Human Exploitation Investigations unit led the investigation.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 11, 2026 05:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
