Louisiana Woman Charged in Disturbing Monkey Torture Network Investigation
NEW ORLEANS, La. - Federal investigators say a Louisiana woman played a leadership role in one of the internet's most disturbing underground communities, helping distribute graphic videos of monkeys being tortured in a secret online network that stretched across the United States and overseas.
The investigation, led in large part by Homeland Security Investigation agents based in New Orleans, Louisiana has resulted in dozens of arrests and exposed an unsettling word centered around horrific animal abuse and torture videos.
New Orleans Investigators Helped Crack The Online Network
According to NOLA.com, Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans has been at the center of dismantling an encrypted Telegram network where users allegedly shared videos depicting extreme acts of animal cruelty involving macaque monkeys.
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Authorities say the online groups operated in private chat rooms, using their own coded language to communicate. Members reportedly referred to chat groups as "kitchens" and the graphic videos as "sauce."
Louisiana Woman Allegedly Served As Group Leader
One of the most significant arrests involved Ariel Kornienko of Covington, Louisiana, who investigators say operated under the online alias "Baronness."
Federal prosecutors accused Kornienko of distributing multiple videos that allegedly showed monkeys being burned, drowned, strangled, and subjected to other acts of extreme abuse according to NOLA.com.
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Court records show Kornienko pled guilty to federal charges involving the distribution of the videos.
From NOLA.com -
At least 30 people have been indicted across the country, including Kornienko in New Orleans and two others from the Shreveport area charged in Ohio.
Investigation Expanded Across Multiple States
After Kornienko's arrest, investigators say they were able to identify additional participants connected to the Telegram groups.
The investigation eventually reached suspects in:
Louisiana
Florida
Georgia
Pennsylvania
Illinois
Ohio
Virginia
Federal officials say several defendants have pleaded guilty, while others continue to fight the charges in court.
Homeland Security says the case should serve as a reminder that investigators are actively tracking people who create, distribute, or purchase videos depicting extreme animal cruelty online.
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Gallery Credit: Michael Dot Scott