Charges filed against teens in deer torture video that went viral

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Pa. — Charges were filed against two Pennsylvania teens recorded in a viral video posted to social media that shows them abusing an injured deer, officials with the Pennsylvania Game Commission said.

The Game Commission said Alexander Brock Smith, 18, and a 17-year-old teen boy are the ones charged. Each faces two felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty and two felony counts of conspiracy to commit aggravated animal cruelty among other charges.

The video, posted Nov. 30, was viewed tens of thousands of times worldwide before the Game Commission launched an investigation.

The agency said both Smith and the other teen were interviewed and confirmed they were hunting in an enclosed tree stand on property owned by Smith’s family in Jefferson County. The juvenile shot and wounded a buck. The animal couldn’t move due to the injury and that’s when the video of the abuse was taken and uploaded.

Smith was arraigned and released on $50,000 bail. The Brookville Chief of Police previously said that Smith is his stepson and that he was sickened when he saw the video. Smith faces four felony charges among other misdemeanors. If given the maximum penalty, he could spend more than 40 years in prison and owe tens of thousands of dollars in fines.

The case involving the teen will be sent to juvenile court. The Game Commission said they do not release the names of minors who are charged.

Investigators said even though there was video evidence of the acts, they had to make sure that it occurred in Pennsylvania where the Game Commission has the authority to file charges and collect evidence.

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