Animals tortured, killed on video for access to Winnipeg underground network: police

An alleged cat murderer in Winnipeg established an exclusive black-market network where prospective members submitted videos of themselves killing an animal to gain entry to the group, according to police.

Chad Kabecz is accused of establishing the network, which police say has an international reach, in June.

The Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) says 75 animals were filmed or photographed being tortured and killed between May 20 and Oct. 7. In some instances, police add there was also a sexual component to the offence.

“We’ve never seen anything like this,” WPS Cst. Stephen Spencer told reporters at a press conference Wednesday afternoon.

Kabecz, 40, and Irene Lima, 55, were arrested Oct. 9 and charged with numerous offences after police allege they discovered videos on the dark web of the couple torturing and murdering cats and other small animals they had purchased online.

READ MORE: Animal advocates gather outside Winnipeg court demanding justice against alleged cat murderer

The Winnipeg Police Service is now saying a subsequent analysis of their electronic devices — seized during a search of a home in Winnipeg’s Lord Roberts neighbourhood — uncovered hundreds of videos and photographs, and tens of thousands of encrypted communications between the accused.

Authorities say the couple “not only facilitated the creation and distribution of its content, but also profited financially from it.”

Spencer says nobody else from Winnipeg is believed to be involved, but could not say which countries are implicated.

“Investigations in those countries, the agencies that have interest will be furthering this investigation,” he said.

Child pornography seized

Investigators also allege they uncovered communication between the accused that discussed their intention to torture a child with a “sexual component.” Several child pornography images were allegedly accessed on a device belonging to them, police allege.

The accused were re-arrested Monday. Lima is facing several additional charges, including accessing child pornography, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, four counts of bestiality and six counts of killing or injuring animals.

Kabecz was charged with four counts of compelling bestiality and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.

Both have been remanded into custody.

The Winnipeg police investigation is known as Project Artemis.