Jeffrey Radtke, a 61-year-old man from Bloomington, Minnesota, pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiring to create and distribute disturbing videos depicting the torture and killing of young macaque monkeys.
Court documents reveal that from at least June 2021 to July 2022, Radtke received numerous payments from his co-conspirators, which he used to finance the creation of these horrific videos by individuals located outside the U.S., particularly in Indonesia.
Read: Florida Woman Pleads Guilty To Creating, Distributing Animal ‘Crush’ Videos Of Monkeys
Radtke and his accomplices were in direct communication with an Indonesian individual known as Coconspirator 11 (CC11), giving specific instructions on how to torture the animals. Radtke also sent over 40 payments to CC11 for the production of new videos.
Law enforcement seized Radtke’s electronic devices in April 2023, discovering over 2,600 videos and 2,700 images of animal cruelty. Radtke’s sentencing is scheduled for February 13, 2025, where he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Yusi.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.