HOUSTON (CN) - A Houston woman who filmed herself talking dirty in skimpy clothes as she tortured animals to death faces up to 35 years in federal prison after confessing to it Tuesday.
The charges in the five-count "animal crush video" indictment are too distressing to repeat. They involve kittens, puppies and chickens.
Ashley Nicole Richards, 24, was "often scantily clad and wearing a Mardi Gras-type mask" as she tortured and killed the animals, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. "As she tortured the animals, she engaged in sexually charged dialogue meant to arouse the viewer."
She was arrested on state charges in 2012 and after she was federally indicted, and a trip to the Fifth Circuit, the Supreme Court refused to hear the case and sent it back to Houston Federal Court.
Prosecutors said they believe it's the first such case prosecuted under a 2010 amendment to the federal law.
Richard pleaded guilty to four counts of producing and one count of distributing the obscene videos. Each count is punishable by 7 years. She will be sentenced on Dec. 10.
Subscribe to Closing Arguments
Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.
Additional Reads
-
EU gains trillions in revenue — and debt April 22, 2024 -
Alaska, Hawaiian Airlines April 17, 2024
-
-
Contributor-Test-Post-2024-04-12 April 12, 2024