Iowa man charged with allegedly distributing videos of monkey torture and abuse

An Iowa man has been charged with conspiring to create and distribute explicit videos depicting extreme violence and sexual abuse of monkeys, federal authorities said.

Philip Colt Moss is said to have collaborated with two other people, Nicholas Dryden and Giancarlo Morelli, to produce and distribute the disturbing content, which includes scenes of mutilation and sexual assault of monkeys.

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The alleged acts of violence occurred in March and April 2023. Dryden and Morelli have already been charged and are awaiting trial.

According to court documents, the videos showed graphic scenes in which monkeys were subjected to cruel acts, including burning, cutting and forced penetration with various objects.

If convicted, Moss faces a maximum sentence of five years for conspiracy and seven years for creating and distributing the videos.

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The case is being prosecuted by the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division, and the investigation is being led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the FBI.