Wisconsin Man Sentenced to a Year in Prison for Violating the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act
WASHINGTON – A Wisconsin man was sentenced yesterday to 12 months and one day in prison for violating the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act.
Kenneth J. Herrera, 40, of Soldiers Grove, had previously pleaded guilty for creating, selling and distributing an animal crushing video. Animal crushing includes burning, suffocating, impaling or causing the serious bodily injury of animals. The judge also sentenced Herrera to three years of supervised release and to pay a $5,000 fine.
In 2021, Herrera paid a videographer in Indonesia $100 for a video of a monkey being physically abused. Herrera sent specific instructions, which the videographer followed, asking that the monkey be picked up by the genitals using pliers and then hit on the head with a hammer. The videographer sent Herrera the video via an encrypted messaging application. The PACT Act makes it illegal to create or distribute depictions of animal crushing that will be sold or distributed internationally or between states.
“Animal crushing videos cruelly force animals into a cycle of fear, violence and death for personal gratification or profit,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “We are committed to aggressively pursuing and prosecuting anyone who engages in the creation or distribution of animal crush videos.”
“Video recordings of animal torture are cruel, inhumane and illegal,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea for the Western District of Wisconsin. “Evidence shows that animal torture can be a precursor to other violent crimes. Our office will work with law enforcement, domestically and internationally, to investigate and prosecute all crimes of this nature.”
“The primary mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and our specific role in the Office of Law Enforcement, is to protect all wildlife from being unlawfully commercialized, in whatever form we find it,” said Assistant Director Edward Grace of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement. “The heinous crimes against wildlife that are centered in this investigation are an extreme example of that commitment. The success of this case is a direct result of our partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
“The FBI stands resolute in our dedication to working with our federal and international partners to address animal cruelty violations,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Hensle of the FBI Milwaukee Field Office. “We view the sentence handed down in this case under the Animal Crushing Statue not only as a measure of justice served, but also as a deterrent against future violations. We appreciate the opportunity to work with our partners at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Wisconsin on this investigation and will continue to rigorously enforce the laws designed to prevent such heinous acts.”
The FBI and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Mark T. Romley of the Justice Department Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick Elgersma for the Western District of Wisconsin prosecuted the case.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
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