Minnesota State Wire

Bryan Wesley Edison, 32, of Carver, Minnesota, has been indicted on sixteen federal counts related to animal crushing. The charges were announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. According to the indictment, Edison produced hundreds of videos showing animals being tortured and killed, which he then distributed and sold through pay-per-view YouTube channels.

“Animal crushing is not only sickening, it is a federal crime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “When someone takes pleasure in the torture of defenseless animals, it signals a deeper danger to our community. Especially in these troubled times, we will not allow these warning signs to go unchecked.”

The Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (PACT Act), enacted in 2019 under President Trump’s administration, expanded the federal statute prohibiting so-called "crush" videos and acts involving the intentional torture or killing of animals.

The indictment alleges that since 2022 Edison operated YouTube channels where he posted nearly 350 videos depicting acts of animal cruelty for entertainment purposes. These videos reportedly involved various species including birds, hamsters, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, lizards, dogs, and snapping turtles. Animals were placed in different enclosures and subjected to methods such as impalement, drowning, suffocation, dismemberment by other animals, and other forms of abuse.

Edison offered some content free to the public while other material required paid subscriptions ranging from $0.99 to $99.99 per month. The higher-priced memberships allowed subscribers access to custom videos featuring more graphic violence.

He also marketed merchandise bearing his channel logos and used provocative titles highlighting torture aspects to attract viewers.

YouTube eventually removed Edison’s channels—named “Prince’s Pet Planet” and “Prince’s Chomp Squad”—for repeated violations of its violence policy.

Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr., FBI Minneapolis stated: “Animal crushing is an appalling abuse of power over vulnerable creatures. The exercise of violence over the defenseless is never acceptable. The FBI stands with our law enforcement partners to rigorously enforce the laws that prevent and punish such heinous acts of cruelty.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Evans is handling prosecution.

It is noted that an indictment represents an allegation; Edison is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.