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A Coral Gables man was sentenced to five years in prison for distributing videos that show extreme violence and sexual abuse against monkeys, the U.S. Department of Justice said.<\/p>\n
A Coral Gables man was sentenced Thursday to five years in prison for distributing videos that show extreme violence and sexual abuse against monkeys, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.<\/p>\n
Francisco Javier Ravelo, 36, pleaded guilty in March<\/a> to the online distribution of more than 40 \u201cso-called \u2018animal crush videos\u2019\u201d from September 2024 to February 2025, the DOJ said. The animals in the videos were purposely crushed, burned or subjected to other forms of serious injury for the sexual gratification of viewers.<\/p>\n Ravelo was the leader and organizer of invitation-only internet groups dedicated to the sharing and discussion of videos depicting monkeys being mutilated and tortured, the DOJ said in a statement<\/a>. The torture was inflicted on baby and adult monkeys.<\/p>\n During his sentencing hearing in Miami federal court, the judge \u201cdescribed the material distributed as \u2018evil,\u2019\u201d the DOJ said. The court explained the harshness of Ravelo\u2019s sentence should serve as deterrence for others in the \u201cmonkey hate community.\u201d He was facing up to seven years in prison.<\/p>\n Ravelo was a former contractor for the U.S. Air Force in Florida and obtained a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Miami. His attorney, Michael Perry Mirer, didn\u2019t respond Sunday to a request for comment.<\/p>\n Upon his release, Ravelo will serve three years of supervised release, during which he will not be allowed to have any unsupervised contact with animals, the DOJ said.<\/p>\n \u201cRavelo\u2019s conviction and this sentencing make it clear that those who commit these horrific crimes cannot evade justice,\u201d Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Wright, of Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans, said in the statement. \u201cEven when offenders use advanced technology and exclusive, invitation-only groups to hide their illegal activities, HSI will relentlessly pursue them and ensure they are held accountable.\u201d<\/p>\n