For Immediate Release:
April 3, 2026
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
Tampa, Fla. –
A federal judge just revoked Jimmy “The Monkey Whisperer” Hammonds’ probation—originally imposed after charges that followed a 2017 PETA complaint regarding his unlawful sale of a capuchin monkey to Chris Brown—and sentenced him to four months in prison and 30 months of supervised release. This update comes just one week after Hammonds received a nine‑month federal prison sentence for conspiring to violate the Lacey Act and wildlife trafficking after selling two marmosets to an undercover agent. Hammonds was also banned from possessing, breeding, selling, transporting, or exhibiting any wildlife.
Below, please find a statement from PETA Foundation Managing Director of Captive Wildlife and primatologist Debbie Metzler regarding this update:
This latest ruling sends a clear message that illegal wildlife trafficking will not be tolerated and removes a repeat offender from an industry rife with abuse. The Department of Justice was right to press for stronger penalties in this case, and PETA urges the agency to keep holding animal exploiters like Hammonds accountable.
PETA reminds the public never to buy or keep wild animals as pets, and to always report suspected wildlife exploitation when they see it.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
