Michael Macartney, 50, confessed to the BBC his role in an extreme monkey torture network.

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.

  • ccunning@lemmy.world
    28·
    8 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
      2·
      8 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. ✌️