‘Sadistic’ Monkey-Mutilation Videos Put Morris Co. Man In Prison

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — A Morris County man has been sentenced to prison after he had conspired to create and distribute videos of baby and adult monkeys being tortured, officials announced.

Giancarlo Morelli, originally of Wharton, was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in creating the “sadistic” videos. He pleaded guilty in January.

According to court documents, Morelli, who now resides in Ohio, was involved in several online groups that shared and created videos of monkeys being violently tortured and sexually abused.

The Department of Justice said the videos were created by people in Indonesia, who would commit the violent acts on camera for an undisclosed amount of money.

Officials said that Morelli paid someone 19 times for videos depicting the abuse. He maintained a relationship with the supplier, providing feedback and suggesting torture ideas for new content, officials said.

According to officials, some of the videos showed baby monkeys getting their genitals burned or cut off.

This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as the FBI. Officials indicated that other individuals involved in the conspiracy have also faced charges.

“The acts of torture and abuse of young monkeys in this case are beyond disturbing,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Adam Lawson of the FBI’s Cincinnati Field Office. “As a result of the work of the FBI, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and our Department of Justice partners, those involved in the creation and distribution of these repulsive animal torture videos are being held accountable for their criminal actions.”