Former Prineville resident pleads guilty to federal charges for role in torture, killing of monkeys, ‘animal crush’ videos

Due for sentencing in April; faces five years, $250,000 fine

EUGENE, Ore. (KTVZ) —A former Prineville resident pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to produce and distribute videos depicting the torture, mutilation and murder of monkeys in exchange for money raised by an online animal abuse group the man administered, prosecutors said.

David Christopher Noble, 48, pleaded guilty to conspiring to engage in animal crushing and creating and distributing animal crush videos.

According to court documents, from an unknown date no later than January 19, 2022, and continuing until February 2, 2023, Noble conspired with others in the District of Oregon and elsewhere to send multiple online payments to co-conspirators overseas to fund the production of videos depicting the torture, mutilation and murder of monkeys.

In furtherance of the conspiracy, federal prosecutors say Noble administered an online group wherein members would raise funds to produce, discuss ideas for, and share animal abuse videos.

In 2006, Noble, a former United States Air Force officer, was dismissed from the Air Force and ordered to serve six months in military custody following a court martial for fraud and an unprofessional relationship.

In early February 2023, following the investigation in this case, investigators executed a search warrant on Noble’s residence and found approximately 50 videos depicting animal abuse, along with several firearms and ammunition.

On May 18, 2023, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned an indictment charging Noble with conspiring to engage in animal crushing and creating and distributing animal crush videos, creating animal crush videos, and illegally possessing a firearm as a dishonorably discharged person.

After his home was searched, Noble relocated from Prineville to Henderson, Nevada, and, on June 13, 2023, was arrested in Henderson. The next day, he made his first appearance in federal court in Las Vegas and was ordered detained pending his transfer to Oregon.

On July 21, 2023, after arriving in Oregon, Noble was again ordered detained based on the nature of his offenses, including the extreme violence associated, and his possession of firearms.

For his role in the conspiracy, Noble faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years’ supervised release. He will be sentenced on April 24.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It is being prosecuted by William M. McLaren and Adam E. Delph, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.