Feds seek 27-year sentence in child porn case

BOSTON (AP) - Federal prosecutors will ask for a 27-year prison sentence for a Massachusetts man who authorities say had a dungeon in his basement and chatted online with other men about their mutual desire to abduct, kill and eat children.

Geoffrey Portway, of Worcester, pleaded guilty in April to solicitation to commit a crime of violence, and possession and distribution of child pornography.

Under a plea agreement, prosecutors and Portway's lawyer agreed to a sentencing range of 18 years to a little over 27 years.

In a sentencing memo filed Tuesday, prosecutors asked for the highest sentence, arguing that chats recovered from Portway's computer show he solicited several people for help in abducting a child with the intent of raping, killing and eating the child.

Authorities said they found a dungeon, a homemade coffin, disposable scalpels and other tools in the basement of Portway's home.

"Portway may try to argue that the pictures and chats are just part of a fantasy life and that he never intended to carry out his plans, but the evidence clearly shows that is untrue," Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacy Dawson Belf wrote in the memo.

"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."

Portway's lawyer, Richard Sweeney, said he plans to argue for the low end of the sentencing range, about 18 years.

Sentencing is scheduled Sept. 17 in U.S. District Court in Worcester.

Portway is a British citizen who has lived in the United States most of his life. He was among dozens of people arrested in an international child porn investigation.

Cox Media Group