A COUPLE has been charged over a number of sickening videos of torturing and raping dogs they allegedly shared with the 'world’s worst animal abuser.’
Lucas Russell VanWoert, 25, and his wife Heather Marie VanWoert, 32, were accused of torturing dogs following an international investigation into the twisted croc expert Adam Britton.
The pair, from Michigan, were arrested after a raid at their Ohio home last September.
They were hit with animal abuse charges after US and Australian authorities joined forces to identify those responsible for creating a horrific dog abuse video.
The disturbing clip was made by Britton, 51, who regularly filmed himself raping, abusing and murdering dogs and shared the footage online.
Man fined £165 after outraging the internet by dying puppy to look like Pikachu
The sick ex-academic plead guilty last week to the animal abuse, including charges of bestiality and rape as well as possession of child exploitation material.
According to documents filed in the US District Court the VanWoerts had no involvement in the horror video - but the pair exchanged with Britton 705 photos and videos of animal abuse in the past three years.
Among the files, there was footage of VanWoert raping and torturing at least four dogs in the sleeper cabin of a tractor-trailer, which he then shared with Britton who used the pseudonym Graves.
Cops were able to track down VanWoert after establishing the video was filmed near a truck stop in Michigan.
His face shown in the video and a sun-shaped tattoo on his arm were the clues that helped police identify him.
VanWoert voluntarily confessed to engaging in sex acts, beating, and strangling a dog before dumping its body.
Footage of child exploitation was also found on his electronic devices during the raid.
VanWoert faces 12 years behind bars while his wife was hit with animal torture charges in November 2022.
Meanwhile, Britton who admitted luring pet owners on Gumtree Australia, is currently awaiting sentence.
He would often go to pet owners who had to give up their beloved animals because of work or travel commitments.
Dog who 'always melts hearts' with his smile hopes to find a loving family
Last week a horrified woman revealed how she gave her poorly sister's pet to Britton before it died within a week.
At least 39 animals died in his care after they were brutally abused.
The Brit was eventually caught at his Darwin home thanks to a single clue in one of the torture videos.
The zoologist is married to a biologist and wildlife ranger, Erin, and led a double life as he carried out the abuse.
There is no suggestion that she knew anything about her husband's crimes, and she appears to have dropped his surname online.
He will return to court on December 13 for sentencing.
