A Massachusetts man serving a 26-year-long sentence for plotting to cannibalize children in his homemade torture dungeon is asking for compassionate release over fears of contracting COVID-19.
Geoffrey Portway, a British citizen living in Worcester, Mass., wishes to be released from the federal prison he is being held at in Virginia, MassLive reported. In a 45-page motion, Portway said his existing medical conditions put him more at risk of catching COVID-19, the outlet said in its report.
The 47-year-old pleaded guilty in 2013 to charges of the solicitation to commit a crime of violence and distribution and possession of child pornography, according to a press release from the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney’s Office. (RELATED: REPORT: Man Kidnapped, Held For Three Days Over Private Poker Debts)
Portway made claims that there have been more than 40 confirmed coronavirus cases at his prison, according to the report from MassLive. However, the FCI Petersberg, where Portway is being held, shows a total of 4 active COVID-19 cases for prisoners, and 4 cases for staff as of Dec. 4, according to federal data.
Geoffrey Portway, man who built a torture dungeon in Worcester, plotted to eat children, wants to be released from prison due to COVID risk https://t.co/mOBndWovwQ
— masslivenews (@masslivenews) December 1, 2020
Federal authorities raided Portway’s Worcester home in July 2012, where they found a collection of child pornography on his computers, as well as numerous messages showing his intent to kidnap a child, according to the 2013 press release. Authorities also discovered a dungeon that contained a child-sized homemade coffin, along with a steel cage, and a cabinet freezer that held disposable scalpels, butchering kits, and castration tools.
“Portway’s guilty plea should serve as a stern warning to those inclined to abuse children or share images of child pornography: there isn’t a place in the United States, on the Internet, or the planet in which you are truly safe,” said Bruce M. Foucart, special agent in charge of HSI Boston after Portway’s arrest in 2013. “We will investigate you, we will prosecute you and we will bring you to justice.”
Authorities said a forensic examination of the obtained computers revealed 4,500 trades of child pornography between Portway and others.
Federal records show Portway is scheduled for release in May 2035, reported MassLive. Upon his release, Portway will have to register as a Level 3 sex offender and will be deported to the UK.