A ringleader in a global monkey torture network exposed by the BBC has been charged by US federal prosecutors.

Michael Macartney, 50, who went by the alias “Torture King”, was charged in Virginia with conspiracy to create and distribute animal-crushing videos.

Mr Macartney was one of three key distributors identified by the BBC Eye team during a year-long investigation into sadistic monkey torture groups.

Two women have also been charged in the UK following the investigation.

Warning: This article contains disturbing content

Mr Macartney, a former motorcycle gang member who previously spent time in prison, ran several chat groups for monkey torture enthusiasts from around the world on the encrypted messaging app Telegram.

  • dogslayeggs@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    162
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    7 months ago

    I gotta admit, I was blissfully unaware that this was a thing. I really did not expect to read a headline like that this morning.

    What in the fucking fuck is wrong with people? This motherfucker needs to spend the rest of his life behind bars. The biggest sign of a person becoming a serial killer is their treatment of animals. I mean, he’s already been to prison, so it’s not like he has any interest in being rehabilitated in prison.

    • Riven@lemmy.dbzer0.com
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      43
      ·
      7 months ago

      I agree with you but to be fair our prison system is terrible at rehabilitation. Sure it works sometimes but it’s not their main focus.

      Did you read about the prison that is denying everyone in person visits so they can charge money for phone calls and video calls? They’re getting a kick back from the companies whk run those systems. Fucking gross.

    • ccunning@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      24
      ·
      7 months ago

      The biggest sign of a person becoming a serial killer is their treatment of animals.

      I’m going to guess this is the second biggest sign with the first biggest sign being specifically their treatment of the animals most closely related to humans.

      Like torturing worms? Maybe 50% chance

      Torturing dogs has got to be a good 80%

      Torturing monkeys has got to be like a 99%+ chance of being a serial killer.

      Jesus Christ.

      • kase@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        edit-2
        7 months ago

        I kept reading “words” as “women”… felt real concerned for a minute there

        E: “worms.” I kept reading “worms” as “women.” It’s definitely time for bed now. ✌️

    • EdibleFriend@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      11
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      7 months ago

      A woman who made crush videos involving kittens ended up being posted on 4chan. They did their thing. Last I heard she was never heard from again.

      4chan is a true agent of chaos but sometimes they focus their powers on the right people.

        • EdibleFriend@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          7 months ago

          I’ve tried it more than a few times over the years. 99% of the time it’s porn and racism. It’s a website that’s best viewed at a distance with people take screenshots of the shit that’s actually worth seeing.

          • steeznson@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            2
            ·
            7 months ago

            Depends on the board to be honest. The papercraft and origami one is surprisingly wholesome.

            People assume all of it is like /pol/ since that is the most famous board with the highest traffic. It does leak into the other boards with the odd thread/post here and there but would say it’s not representative of the site.

      • catloaf@lemm.ee
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        9
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        7 months ago

        State-sponsored torture is still torture. And, in my opinion, worse.

      • Ultragigagigantic@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        3
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        edit-2
        7 months ago

        This sounds cruel and unusual.

        Please do not forget that we are NOT him.

        Sometimes the hardest thing in life is to be a portrait of yourself, rather then a mirror reflecting the world around you.

        My paint is fading…