Say F.H. Man Part Of Deranged Plot
Federal agents collared a police officer from Forest Hills last Wednesday, Oct. 24, for his alleged role in a bizarre Internet plot to kidnap, kill, sexually abuse and cannibalize women, law enforcement sources said.
Gilberto Valle, who was assigned to the 23rd Precinct in Manhattan, faces charges of conspiracy to kidnap and illegally accessing a federal law enforcement database in order to gather information about one of the women whom he allegedly targeted.
Valle was taken into custody by members of the FBI’s New York office at his 108th Street residence and arraigned in federal court in Manhattan. The NYPD has suspended him without pay; additional action is pending the results of the criminal case.
During a court-authorized search of the suspect’s computer, authorities said, federal agents found at least 100 files of women who were allegedly considered as targets, with each file containing photographs and personal information. The data for one of the victims was reportedly gathered by Valle by accessing the National Crime Information Center back on May 31.
None of the women targeted in the plot were harmed, law enforcement sources noted.
“Valle’s alleged plans to kidnap women so that they could be raped, tortured, killed, cooked and cannibalized shock the conscience,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara in announcing the charges last Thursday, Oct. 25. “This case is all the more disturbing when you consider Valle’s position as a New York City police officer and his sworn duty to serve and protect. Our investigation is ongoing.”
The FBI’s New York Office began their investigation in September after learning about the alleged plot involving Valle. Federal agents reportedly discovered that Valle communicated with several unidentified individuals about his plans through emails and instant messages.
In their examination of Valle’s computer, law enforcement agents allegedly found a document containing a “blueprint” for capturing, killing and cannibalizing one of the women in his computer file. The document detailed the woman’s personal information as well as a checklist of items which Valle allegedly needed to carry out the mission, including a car, chloroform and rope by which to bind the victim.
Authorities also found messages between Valle and an unidentified coconspirator which indicated that he had planned to meet that victim on a Sunday for lunch. A meeting between the woman and Valle took place, but the would-be victim was not harmed, it was noted.
Federal agents also obtained details of a conversation Valle allegedly had with a second unidentified suspect back in February about kidnapping a woman. Reportedly, Valle agreed to kidnap a woman for no less than $5,000 cash. Under the terms of the proposal, authorities said, the officer allegedly guaranteed to deliver the woman to the unidentified individual bound, gagged and alive.
In the course of their investigation, law enforcement sources noted, Valle was found to have used his cell phone to make a call outside the victim’s home in March. Reportedly, the woman denied knowing or even inviting Valle to her residence.
The officer faces up to life in prison and a minimum $250,000 fine if convicted of the charges against him, prosecutors said. Other charges against co-conspirators are pending the results of an ongoing investigation being conducted by the FBI and the NYPD.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Hadassa Waxman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Violent Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
It was noted that the charges are accusations and Valle is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
