‘Deeply disturbing’animal cruelty operation involving baby monkeys busted by ICE investigation

An investigation by ICE Homeland Security Investigations led to U.S.citizen Francisco Javier Ravelo pleading guilty to distributing videos depicting the torture of both adult and baby monkeys that involved mutilation and burning.(Arnulfo Franco/AP Photo;ICE)

Jason Reding Quiñones, U.S.attorney for the Southern District of Florida, called the case “deeply disturbing” and evidenced a willingness on the part of Ravelo to “inflict suffering without remorse.”

“As a former state court trial judge who presided over domestic violence cases, I was trained to recognize lethality factors, warning signs that violence is escalating.Deliberate cruelty to animals is one of the clearest red flags,” he said.“It reflects a willingness to dominate, torture and inflict suffering without remorse.”

Quiñones condemned Ravelo’s actions in no uncertain terms, calling it a “serious federal crime” that he said “fuels a market built on brutality.”

Adam Gustafson, principal deputy assistant attorney general of theJustice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, commented that “if you are involved in this sadistic activity, we will prosecute you.”

Read More → Far-left House Dem pushes land reparations for descendants of American slaves

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said that while Ravelo “didn’t count on HSI being able to track him down, pull together evidence and present it to the judge… now he knows better.”

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT FROM VENEZUELA LEARNS SENTENCE FOR BITING ICE AGENT, WITH INJURY SEEN IN PHOTO

Screenshots taken by ICE of a video distributed by Ravelo depicting the torture of a monkey.(ICE)

“Homeland Security Investigations pieced together the case that led to Ravelo’s guilty plea,” said Lyons, adding, “I hope this serves as a warning to others who acquire or distribute this kind of content: HSI will find you, and you’ll end up in federal court just like Ravelo did.”

Upon signing the PACT Act in 2019, Trump said, “It is important that we combat these heinous and sadistic acts of cruelty, which are totally unacceptable in a civilized society.”

Trump said the passage of the PACT Act was “something that should have happened a long time ago.”

Read More → Trump’s strike on Iran deals a major blow to Putin’s war machine in Ukraine

This year, Trump also launched a new multi-agency initiative to strengthen enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, specifically targeting chronic puppy mill violators and dogfighting rings.The move was commended by Humane World for Animals.

DHS NABS AFGHAN MAN ADMITTED UNDER BIDEN AFTER CONVICTION FOR EXPOSING HIMSELF TO MINOR

President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Jan.29, 2026.(Evan Vucci/AP Photo)

In a statement announcing the initiative, the U.S.Department of Agriculture said Trump administration agencies are “taking historic actions” to hold chronic pet welfare violators accountable.

Read More → Eating oatmeal for two days has unexpected impact on heart health, study suggests

onelink.me/xLDS?pid=AppArticleLink&af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.

The agency said the initiative “will boost compliance with existing laws, protect our companion animals,” and reiterates that the Trump administration “stands with the majority of Americans” who are pet owners.