A Florida man entered a plea at the beginning of the month following a particularly disturbing case involving monkeys investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.Francisco Javier Ravelo, 36, of Coral Gables, Florida, pleaded guilty on March 2 to distributing videos depicting the torture of monkeys. Ravelo was charged in October 2025.'It reflects a willingness to dominate, torture, and inflict suffering without remorse.'The Department of Justice's press release, citing court documents, explains that Ravelo, a U.S. citizen, "created some and administered some online chat groups dedicated to the distribution and discussion of sexual and violent videos depicting monkeys being mutilated and burned, including baby and adult monkeys."The DOJ said Ravelo personally distributed "more than 40 of these obscene crush videos."RELATED: 'Staged armed robberies': 11 Indian nationals catch visa fraud charge amid conspiracy allegations U.S. Immigration and Customs EnforcementU.S. law defines "animal crushing" as "actual conduct in which one or more living non-human mammals, birds, reptiles, or amphibians is purposely crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, impaled, or otherwise subjected to serious bodily injury.""In his first term, President Donald J. Trump signed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act into law to end animal crushing," said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division. "If you are involved in this sadistic activity, we will prosecute you."U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida said: "Deliberate cruelty to animals is one of the clearest red flags. It reflects a willingness to dominate, torture, and inflict suffering without remorse. The defendant didn't merely view this material. He created and administered online groups devoted to it and distributed dozens of obscene animal torture videos. That conduct fuels a market built on brutality."HSI New Orleans, HSI Pensacola, the local U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Department of Justice's Environment and Natural Resources Division investigated the case that led to Ravelo's guilty plea, according to an ICE press release. Ravelo faces a maximum penalty of seven years in prison. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

In a major upset, a Republican has finally made an inroad in what was once considered a safe Democratic county in Virginia. Democratic candidate Muhammad "Sef" Casim lost a special election for a vacant seat on the Prince William Board of County Supervisors to Republican Jeannie LaCroix following a precipitous loss of support from his own party.'I want to make clear that the foolishness of my actions during my college days did not translate then, and most definitely does not indicate now, any prejudice or hatred I hold towards the Black community.'On March 10, LaCroix received 1,694 (43.73%) of the votes compared to Casim's 1,436 (37.07%). Democrat Pamela Montgomery, a write-in candidate who launched her campaign barely one week before the election, drew from Casim's votes, though how many is unclear, according to WJLA. Casim faced calls from his own party to back out of the race after past social media posts, which he described as "offensive to the Black community," resurfaced during his campaign.RELATED: 'So pathetic': Virginia governor nailed with backlash over response to possible terror attack at Old Dominion Chair at-Large Deshundra Jeffersonpwcva.govPrince William County Republican County Chairman Jacob Alderman called for the immediate withdrawal of support for Casim, posting screenshots of many of Casim's past posts and reposts, which he described as "a disturbing pattern of racist, misogynistic, antisemitic, anti-Christian, and anti-American views." The posts, which come from X, all appear to be from over a decade ago, with many of them dated between 2012 and 2015. Posts include Casim allegedly writing or reposting other accounts saying: “Never call a tiger ‘tigga.’ Only tigers can call themselves ‘tigga’”; “This girl’s fav match going on, No dangerous Hindu male”; “the person below is a dirty slut”; and "Heading ot [sic] VCU in the morning with my N***a."Casim wrote an apology on Facebook on February 28: "Nobody’s history is perfect and I am no exception. 14 years ago I had made social media posts that were disrespectful and posted a reference to my friend using a term that is quite frankly, offensive to the Black community. There is no excuse for this and I deeply apologize. I want to make clear that the foolishness of my actions during my college days did not translate then, and most definitely does not indicate now, any prejudice or hatred I hold towards the Black community."Potomac Local reported that several Democratic elected officials called on Casim to step away from the race over the "racist, xenophobic, and misogynistic" remarks. Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chair Deshundra Jefferson issued a separate statement on March 2 criticizing Casim's past remarks — and his apology. “I am deeply disgusted by the past comments Sufiyan Casim made — as well as his lack of responsibility and accountability. No apology should start with the words, ‘Nobody’s history is perfect and I am no exception,’ as it dismisses the pain that one’s words have caused,” Jefferson stated.LaCroix will assume the role of Woodbridge District supervisor following the election upset, which was triggered after former Supervisor Margaret Franklin won election to the Virginia House of Delegates 23rd District in January. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

As Hollywood continues to embrace diversity mandates — which couldn’t have been more clear at the 96th Academy Awards — the film industry is sending the wrong message about merit and inspiration.“The Academy Awards came up with new criteria for how to win or be eligible to even win the Best Picture nominee,” Whitlock says, noting that potential winners had to meet DEI requirements.“At least one of the lead actors or significant supporting actors submitted for Oscar consideration is from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group in a specific country or territory of production,” read some of the Representation and Inclusion Standards of the Academy Awards.“At least 30% of all actors not submitted for Oscar consideration are from at least two underrepresented groups which may include women, racial or ethnic group, LGBTQ+, people with cognitive or physical disabilities, or who are deaf or hard of hearing,” reads another guideline.“This is all programming. This is all brainwashing. This is all a reflection of unreality,” Whitlock says, before playing a clip of Michael B. Jordan, who won the award for Best Actor.“I stand here because of the people that came before me. Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker, Will Smith. And to be amongst those giants, amongst those greats, amongst my ancestors, amongst my guys,” Jordan said.He then added, “I just want to say thank you for everybody in this room that has something to do with my success.”“You know, he rattles off this group of black actors,” Whitlock comments, pointing out that when it was his dream to be a great sportswriter, he didn’t choose his heroes based on skin color.“What — you’re telling me that in 2026, the only people that can inspire black kids are other black people? I just — I don’t get this. This is so limiting,” he continues. “White people get to be inspired by any and everybody. There's a white kid, right now, today, that’s sitting around saying, ‘Hey, I want to be like LeBron James.’”“They get access to be inspired by whatever human being is on the planet. Their options for inspiration are limitless. We’re telling black kids, subtly and straightforwardly, that the only people that can inspire you are other black people,” he adds.Want more from Jason Whitlock?To enjoy more fearless conversations at the crossroads of culture, faith, sports, and comedy with Jason Whitlock, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

President Donald Trump and his allies have come out in full force following Joe Kent's resignation as director of the National Counterterrorism Center on Tuesday.Kent announced his unexpected resignation in a letter to Trump, citing concerns about the United States' military operation in Iran. Kent argued that Iran posed "no imminent threat" and that the United States was forced into the conflict on behalf of Israel, prompting backlash from the administration. 'He had strong and compelling evidence that Iran was going to attack.'"As a veteran who deployed to combat 11 times and as a Gold Star husband who lost my beloved wife Shannon in a war manufactured by Israel, I cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives," Kent said in the letter. Kent's resignation sent shock waves through the already fracturing MAGA world. Despite the outpouring of support from anti-war commentators, Kent was met with firm disapproval from Trump. RELATED: Joe Kent resigns from Trump admin, says Israel forced US into Iran conflict Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images"I always thought he was a nice guy, but I always thought he was weak on security," Trump said in the Oval Office Tuesday. "Very weak on security. I didn't know him well, but I thought he seemed like a pretty nice guy. But when I read his statement, I realized that it's a good thing that he's out because he said that Iran was not a threat." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a much stronger statement, debunking many of Kent's statements she said were false. "As President Trump has clearly and explicitly stated, he had strong and compelling evidence that Iran was going to attack the United States first," Leavitt said, pushing back on Kent's claim that Iran didn't pose an imminent threat. "This evidence was compiled from many sources and factors. President Trump would never make the decision to deploy military assets against a foreign adversary in a vacuum."RELATED: Trump's hilarious response after intel reportedly tells him Iran's new supreme leader might be gay Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty ImagesLeavitt went on to list Iran's offenses against the American people, citing its sponsorship of terrorism and nuclear ambitions. Leavitt also addressed Kent's claim that Israel forced the United States' hand in the conflict, calling the assertion "insulting and laughable." "And finally, the absurd allegation that President Trump made this decision based on the influence of others, even foreign countries, is both insulting and laughable," Leavitt said. "President Trump has been remarkably consistent and has said for DECADES that Iran can NEVER possess a nuclear weapon.""As someone who actually witnesses President Trump's decision-making process on a daily basis, I can attest to the fact that he is always looking to do what's in the best interest of the United States of America — period. America First," she concluded.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!