Ashley Nicole Richards: Texas Woman Convicted Of Torturing Animals For Fetish Films

Ashley Nicole Richards is accused of torturing and killing small animals during the production of fetish films. In a statement provided by the Department of Justice officials confirmed the 24-year-old woman admitted performing in and distributing the disturbing films.

Persons with a “crush” fetish gain sexual gratification from watching animals, insects, and inanimate objects being crushed.

As explained by Motherboard, “soft crush” porn generally involves physically crushing insects, mollusks, and crustaceans. However, soft crush porn can refer to the crushing of inanimate objects — including balloons.

In stark contrast, hard crush porn involves the torture and death of small animals, including cats, chickens, dogs, and rabbits.

Soft crush and hard crush pornography is generally performed by attractive young women who are scantily clad. In addition to crushing the animals or inanimate objects, the women sometimes perform sexual acts.

Although soft crush pornography is unusual, it is legal. As discussed by the United States Attorney’s Office, hard crush porn is prohibited by federal law.

“Under federal law, it is illegal to depict – via photograph, motion-picture film, video, digital recording or electronic image – actual conduct in which one or more living non-human mammals, birds, reptiles or amphibians is intentionally crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, impaled or otherwise subjected to serious bodily injury, and is obscene.”

An investigation, initiated by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), revealed Ashley Nicole Richards produced and distributed numerous hard crush films between February 2010 and August 2012.

“In the ‘puppy2’ video, which is more than 13 minutes in length, Richards is seen torturing and killing a blue Pit Bull-mix puppy… Richards is later seen… urinating on its body. In another video… Richards steps on a cat’s eye with heel of her shoe.”

Richards was arrested and charged with producing and distributing obscene films, which featured the torture and death of animals. Although she was indicted three months later, the charges were eventually dismissed amid “constitutionality issues.”

Following several petitions and appeals, the United States Supreme Court ordered the Southern District of Texas court to hear the case.

On Tuesday, the defendant pleaded guilty to five federal charges associated with distributing and producing the disturbing fetish films. Per the guilty plea, Richards admitted to torturing and killing chickens, kittens, and puppies during the production of the films.

U.S. District Judge Sim Lake confirmed Ashley Nicole Richards’ sentencing is scheduled for December 10. She is facing up to seven years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine for each of the five charges.

[Image via Dreamindemon]