NYPD Cop Accused in Cannibal Plot Is Denied Bail

A judge has ordered a New York City police officer accused of plotting to torture women and cook and eat their body parts detained without bail after his initial appearance in federal court. Magistrate Judge Henry Pitman said at today's hearing that the allegations against 28-year-old Gilberto Valle were "profoundly disturbing." Public defender Julia Gatto had asked for bail, saying the alleged plot was "fantasy in a sexual world." A prosecutor disagreed, saying the Valle had to be arrested because he was too close to carrying out the plot.

Valle left a trail of emails, instant messages, and computer files detailing the bizarre kidnapping and cannibalism scheme, according to a criminal complaint, which identified two women as Victim 1 and Victim 2. He catalogued at least 100 women on his computer, federal investigators said, but there was no information that anyone was harmed. One document found on his computer was titled "Abducting and Cooking (Victim 1): A Blueprint," according to the complaint. The file also had the woman's birth date and other personal information and a list of "materials needed"—a car, chloroform, and rope. Valle's estranged wife tipped off authorities to his online activity. (More NYPD stories.)