Editor’s note: This article contains graphic content that may be disturbing to some readers.
CINCINNATI – A man arrested May 7 after an FBI raid at a Bellefontaine residence is among 11 defendants from across the United States charged for their alleged involvement with online groups dedicated to creating and distributing videos depicting acts of extreme violence and sexual abuse against monkeys.
Brady O. Shellhammer, 26, was named in a federal indictment unsealed on May 16. He and his co-defendants have been charged with conspiracy to create and distribute animal crush videos.
The indictment alleges the individuals conspired with Nicholas T. Dryden of Cincinnati, to create and distribute so-called “animal crush videos.”
Dryden was charged in early June of 2024 along with Giancarlo Morelli of New Jersey.
The most recent 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.
Also charged: Ernest D. Chavez of Arizona; Hugh T. Campbell of Pennsylvania; Carter G. Fawcett of Colorado; Jimmy Wong of New York; KimberlyA. Anglin of Connecticut; Mark M. Sampieri of Connecticut; Victoria Haskins of Louisiana; Vance H. Beadles of Kentucky; Mary L. Longoria of North Carolina; and Patrick C. Naylor of North Carolina.
“The acts of torture and abuse of young monkeys alleged in this case are beyond disturbing,” stated 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.”
If convicted as charged, these defendants face maximum penalties of five years in prison.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and FBI investigated the case.
Senior Trial Attorney Adam C. Cullman of the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy D. Oakley for the Southern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
