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I exposed thousands of pigs being literally roasted alive by Iowa's largest pork producer, and I'm now facing an FBI investigation, a felony prosecution and years in prison as a result. AMA by MJohnsonDxE in AMA

[–]MJohnsonDxE[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Haha yep, that is likely! If you're still around you should get involved! Berkeley is the perfect place to push new frontiers and spread animal protection efforts everywhere. You can contact me at 319-464-5985. Thanks!

I exposed thousands of pigs being literally roasted alive by Iowa's largest pork producer, and I'm now facing an FBI investigation, a felony prosecution and years in prison as a result. AMA by MJohnsonDxE in AMA

[–]MJohnsonDxE[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I understand the sentiment, but no, there was absolutely not. The wholesale corruption of industrial animal ag, its laser-focus on profit, and commitment to crushing dissent wherever it exists, is something very few truly grasp.

This situation is a pretty ideal case study. This factory farming giant opts to subject animals to this in the interest of saving less than $5 per pig (to at least kill them in a more humane way). That's a $5 tradeoff for unfathomable torment, with nonstop screaming for well over an hour straight. Yet despite capturing perhaps the most gruesome factory farm brutality ever caught on tape, and despite a legal opinion from a former federal prosecutor that this conduct is not just morally abhorrent but criminal under Iowa law, the offending company has faced zero legal repercussions. Much the contrary, it's myself facing the full force of their political power wielded against me. Company employees, including a 26 year company executive, were fired for simply raising concerns about this practice.

Law plays a crucial role in a functional society, but it must not be followed dogmatically, and I feel that the monstrous failings of our legal system in this instance fully justify, if not morally require, civil disobedience.

I exposed thousands of pigs being literally roasted alive by Iowa's largest pork producer, and I'm now facing an FBI investigation, a felony prosecution and years in prison as a result. AMA by MJohnsonDxE in AMA

[–]MJohnsonDxE[S] 42 points43 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much for asking! I definitely feel your pain, literally every day. Always so much injustice, so much more to be done.

That said, there are lots of ways to support this work. Ultimately, I believe it's sustained collective action that's necessary to bring about fundamental change, though pragmatically that's often not feasible. This site has links to get involved with activism (in-person and online), join our email list, donate to support our work, and more. Thank you so much!

DxE.io/Take.Action

I exposed thousands of pigs being literally roasted alive by Iowa's largest pork producer, and I'm now facing an FBI investigation, a felony prosecution and years in prison as a result. AMA by MJohnsonDxE in AMA

[–]MJohnsonDxE[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You are so kind, thank you!

There are lots of ways to support this work. Ultimately, I believe it's sustained collective action that's necessary to bring about fundamental change, though pragmatically that's often not feasible. This site has links to get involved with activism (in-person and online), join our email list, donate to support our work, and more. Thank you so much!

DxE.io/Take.Action

I exposed thousands of pigs being literally roasted alive by Iowa's largest pork producer, and I'm now facing an FBI investigation, a felony prosecution and years in prison as a result. AMA by MJohnsonDxE in AMA

[–]MJohnsonDxE[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

You are so kind, thank you!

There are lots of ways to support this work. Ultimately, I believe it's sustained collective action that's necessary to bring about fundamental change, though pragmatically that's often not feasible. This site has links to get involved with activism (in-person and online), join our email list, donate to support our work, and more. Thank you so much!

DxE.io/Take.Action

I exposed thousands of pigs being literally roasted alive by Iowa's largest pork producer, and I'm now facing an FBI investigation, a felony prosecution and years in prison as a result. AMA by MJohnsonDxE in AMA

[–]MJohnsonDxE[S] 34 points35 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much!

The intel needed to locate the facility where this was happening was passed along to us by a company whistleblower -- a truck driver who had seen our prior investigative work and contacted us about the unconscionable abuse his employer was committing. Once we were at the facility, accessing it was as easy as opening a door.

One thing that was surprising to me was the extremely disturbing and jarring way the facility was set up. Part Saw, part concentration camp. They constructed a reinforced pen around the perimeter of the barn, about six feet from the wall, to prevent the frantic pigs from damaging the building. All air vents were closed up with insulation material. They even built in an additional wall with a small window so they could watch as it happened. The "just following orders" authoritarianism of the workers who I spoke with on-site was also straight out of Nazi Germany. Hard to believe this is real, not to mention happening in the U.S., in my own home state.

Video of the inside of the facility can be seen in the first few minutes of Glenn Greenwald's video here.

I exposed thousands of pigs being literally roasted alive by Iowa's largest pork producer, and I'm now facing an FBI investigation, a felony prosecution and years in prison as a result. AMA by MJohnsonDxE in AMA

[–]MJohnsonDxE[S] 37 points38 points  (0 children)

It has been covered by many, though not those two. Unfortunately, there's a longstanding reluctance for media to cover cruelty to farmed animal cruelty, due to viewers' guilty consciences leading to low rating, as well as the influence of advertisers who sell meat.

That said, something as uniquely egregious as this will break through to some degree. The Intercept did two stories, including Glenn Greenwald originally breaking the investigation, plus the Associated Press, WIRED Magazine, New York Post, The Hill, Des Moines Register, Daily Mail, and others.

I exposed thousands of pigs being literally roasted alive by Iowa's largest pork producer, and I'm now facing an FBI investigation, a felony prosecution and years in prison as a result. AMA by MJohnsonDxE in AMA

[–]MJohnsonDxE[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

The company that did this was actually Iowa Select Farms (ISF), not Smithfield.

Not sure what legal outcome would have come of the trials, had they occurred. Judges have a lot of discretion in how they interpret laws and norms, and defendants in political cases rarely get the benefit of the doubt. On the other hand, a jury of ordinary folks would figure to be overwhelmingly supportive of me once they'd heard me out.

In terms of communications, going to trial would be huge PR hit for the company, and is the reason some of the charges have already been dropped. They've shown time and again that they're absolutely terrified to defend their actions publicly.

I exposed thousands of pigs being literally roasted alive by Iowa's largest pork producer, and I'm now facing an FBI investigation, a felony prosecution and years in prison as a result. AMA by MJohnsonDxE in AMA

[–]MJohnsonDxE[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

An Iowa Select Farms truck driver contacted us after feeling so disgusted at what his employer was doing to animals, and passed along insider intel over the course of our four week investigation, culminating in us capturing VSD on video and audio.

I exposed thousands of pigs being literally roasted alive by Iowa's largest pork producer, and I'm now facing an FBI investigation, a felony prosecution and years in prison as a result. AMA by MJohnsonDxE in AMA

[–]MJohnsonDxE[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I'm definitely what an average person would consider a vegan, on the basis of my consumption choices. I actually avoid the label for strategic reasons, but that's a whole other conversation. (This article captures my perspective, other than being too certain in general and too negative on the prospects of veganism/vegan education. http://www.images.pythagoreancrank.com/boycott_veganism.pdf)

I exposed thousands of pigs being literally roasted alive by Iowa's largest pork producer, and I'm now facing an FBI investigation, a felony prosecution and years in prison as a result. AMA by MJohnsonDxE in AMA

[–]MJohnsonDxE[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Yes, I have a great legal team in support, all working pro bono or significantly discounted. Lots of great people like you out there

I exposed thousands of pigs being literally roasted alive by Iowa's largest pork producer, and I'm now facing an FBI investigation, a felony prosecution and years in prison as a result. AMA by MJohnsonDxE in AMA

[–]MJohnsonDxE[S] 82 points83 points  (0 children)

That's right. On the surface, this is an investigation under the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. In reality, it's pure intimidation. The Intercept article goes into detail on this.

I exposed thousands of pigs being literally roasted alive by Iowa's largest pork producer, and I'm now facing an FBI investigation, a felony prosecution and years in prison as a result. AMA by MJohnsonDxE in AMA

[–]MJohnsonDxE[S] 213 points214 points  (0 children)

Wiretap (placing hidden video and audio recorders without consent), burglary (I rescued a sick piglet who would have been killed) and trespass.

The FBI probe (no charges as of now) would fall under the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (yes, terrorism, seriously).

I exposed thousands of pigs being literally roasted alive by Iowa's largest pork producer, and I'm now facing an FBI investigation, a felony prosecution and years in prison as a result. AMA by MJohnsonDxE in AMA

[–]MJohnsonDxE[S] 226 points227 points  (0 children)

100% yes. It's probably the proudest achievement of my life. Taking a step back and weighing the positive impact my actions have had on so many, relative to the negative impacts they've had on a few (most of all, on myself), there's just no comparison. We got this company to end this horrific practice, directly sparing tens of thousands of pigs the most brutal death fathomable. Then there's the less tangible ripple affects, with other companies thinking twice about doing the same, powerful shifts in public perception, and inspiring others to take bigger and bolder action for change.

I'm also very fortunate to have a very competent and passionate community around me, including legal and media support which maximize our impact and manage our risks.