Minnesota Man Indicted in Pay-Per-View Animal Torture Case

Sep 18

A Carver man has been federally charged in connection with an animal torture scheme that prosecutors say involved hundreds of videos published on YouTube.

Federal authorities announced Tuesday that 32-year-old Bryan Wesley Edison has been indicted on sixteen counts of animal crushing, a federal crime that carries significant penalties.

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According to the indictment, Edison produced and distributed nearly 350 videos since 2022 showing animals being tortured, drowned, dismembered, suffocated and killed. Officials say he operated multiple pay-per-view YouTube channels where he sold subscriptions to access the content. Some videos were free, but others required monthly fees ranging from $0.99 to $99.99, with the highest tier offering “custom” torture videos commissioned by subscribers. Prosecutors say Edison openly marketed his most graphic content behind these paid memberships.

The criminal complaint alleges that Edison staged his videos by placing live animals into enclosed spaces like playpens, bathtubs and showers, sometimes dressing them in costumes or arranging props before recording their prolonged torture and deaths. The victims included small mammals, birds, rabbits, reptiles, dogs and turtles. Prosecutors say Edison often narrated the clips, using phrases such as “Shredder, do your worst” and “the poor black bunny is losing air by the second,” while describing the animals’ suffering.

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Edison also developed logos, sold merchandise tied to his channels and used clickbait titles to attract viewers. Federal investigators say his video descriptions contained terms such as “slow death,” “tear apart,” “screaming” and “kills mouse brutally” to emphasize the content. His channels were eventually removed by YouTube for repeated and severe policy violations.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson said in a statement that animal crushing is not only sickening but also a serious federal crime.

“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,” Thompson said.

FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. called the acts “an appalling abuse of power over vulnerable creatures” and said the FBI will continue to rigorously enforce federal animal cruelty laws.

Congress expanded the federal animal crushing statute in 2019 with the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act, signed by then-President Trump. The law makes it illegal to intentionally crush, burn, drown, impale or otherwise subject living animals to serious injury. Lawmakers cited concerns that those who commit acts of torture against animals may also pose broader risks to public safety.

Edison made his first appearance in federal court Tuesday. The case remains under investigation by the FBI.

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