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A man arrested in early May by the FBI in Bellefontaine has been indicted as part of a nationwide conspiracy involving the production and distribution of graphic videos depicting the torture and sexual abuse of monkeys.
Brady Shellhammer, 26, was taken into custody during an early morning FBI operation in Bellefontaine.
Although arrested in Bellefontaine, Shellhammer is not a local resident.
He is among 11 individuals named in a federal indictment, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio.
Federal prosecutors allege Shellhammer and the other defendants conspired with Nicholas Dryden, of Cincinnati, who was previously charged, to create so-called “animal crush videos.”
The indictment details 79 overt acts in which defendants allegedly paid Dryden, who then paid a minor in Indonesia to commit the requested acts on camera.
The videos, alleged to have been created as part of the conspiracy, depicted, among other things, monkeys having their genitals burned and cut with scissors, as well as being sodomized with a wooden skewer and a spoon.
“The acts of torture and abuse of young monkeys alleged in this case are beyond disturbing,” said FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola. “As a result of the work of the FBI, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and our partners, those involved in the conspiracy to create and distribute these repulsive videos are being held accountable.”
The defendants and their known aliases are:
| Name | Alias(es) | Residence |
|---|---|---|
| Ernest D. Chavez | Lax | Arizona |
| Hugh T. Campbell | Tim Templeton | Pennsylvania |
| Carter G. Fawcett | Captain | Colorado |
| Brady O. Shellhammer | Beglu, Bbbeglu | Louisiana |
| Jimmy Wong | Yasser Lopez | New York |
| Kimberly A. Anglin | Kim Anglin | Connecticut |
| Mark M. Sampieri | The Chef, SainT | Connecticut |
| Victoria S. Haskins | Cat Face, Sparkles Fancy Pants | Louisiana |
| Vance H. Beadles | Mr. Green | Kentucky |
| Mary L. Longoria | R6, R6ex | North Carolina |
| Patrick C. Naylor | YANTF, YANTF 2x | North Carolina |
If convicted, each defendant faces up to five years in federal prison.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the case is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorney Adam C. Cullman of the DOJ’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy D. Oakley for the Southern District of Ohio.
