- Federal investigators say a Louisiana woman played a leadership role in one of the internet's most disturbing underground communities, helping distribute graphic videos of monkeys being tortured in a secret online network that stretched across the United States and overseas. The investigation, led in large part by Homeland Security Investigation agents based in New Orleans, Louisiana has resulted in dozens of arrests and exposed an unsettling word centered around horrific animal abuse and torture videos. Unsplash Via Zizi zi MonkeyLouisiana Woman Allegedly Served As Group LeaderOne of the most significant arrests involved Ariel Kornienko of Covington, Louisiana, who investigators say operated under the online alias "Baronness." READ MORE: Louisiana Salmonella Cases Reported as Massive Egg Recall ExpandedCourt records show Kornienko pled guilty to federal charges involving the distribution of the videos. Investigation Expanded Across Multiple StatesAfter Kornienko's arrest, investigators say they were able to identify additional participants connected to the Telegram groups.