Worcester man accused of wanting to abduct, eat children gets 27 years

WORCESTER, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com/AP) -- A Worcester man accused of fantasizing about the torture and cannibalism of children was sentenced to 320 months in prison Tuesday.

Geoffrey Portway was also ordered to pay $3,000 to five of his alleged victims following his sentencing on solicitation to commit a crime of violence and distribution and possession of child pornography charges.

Prosecutors requested a 27-year prison term for Geoffrey Portway. They alleged Portway, who was charged as part of an international child porn investigation, spent 10 years accumulating a collection of images. The 40-year-old is accused of soliciting assistance from an online partner in Kansas to abduct a child for him.

Portway's defense attorney admitted that his client collected and disseminated child pornography and that he needed to be punished. They asked for a 20-year prison sentence.

The defense claimed Portway has issues, which require help. They claimed the 40-year-old was ostracized from his family at an early age because he was gay and he became immersed in role play.

The defense alluded to "tens of thousands" of pages from Portway's Internet chats in saying not once did he mention the term "role play." They claimed his desire to kidnap, rape, kill, and eat children was not role play or fantasy.

Authorities say they found a dungeon, homemade coffin, butchering kit and other tools in the basement of Portway's home.

Prior to sentencing, Portway's attorneys noted that there is no evidence suggesting Portway ever touched or photographed anyone.

"It is important to note, the Defendant never engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with a minor. There is no evidence that the defendant ever acted out any of his fantasies," Attorney Richard Sweeney wrote in a sentencing memo.

But prosecutors say Portway, 40, appeared to be serious.

"In the chats, Portway becomes tired of people engaged in role play or fantasy, telling no less than 15 chat partners he is serious about wanting to kill and eat a child," Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacy Dawson Belf wrote in a sentencing memo.

Portway is a British citizen who has lived in the United States most of his life.

Cox Media Group