Watch CBS News

CBS2 Exclusive: Man Dubbed 'Cannibal Cop' Tells All

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork)-- Gilberto Valle was dubbed the "Cannibal Cop:" an NYPD officer accused of planning to abduct, kill, and cook a list of women, including his wife.

But his conviction was overturned and this past December, a federal appeals court upheld the acquittal, making him a free man.

Valle, now 31, is speaking out about what happened and where he goes from here.

Media around the world had a field day with the headlines. So when did it all start?

Gilbert said his dark fantasies were deeply hidden.

"So this all started in high school – was there a friend who talked about it?" Gainer asked Valle.

"Never talked about it with anyone -- never, never, never talked about it... it's like, how do you bring it up?" Valle said.

But now, the world knows his darkest secret. In 2012, Valle, an NYPD officer at the time and married father, was accused of plotting to kidnap, torture, and cook at least 100 women, including his wife.

She was the one who tipped off authorities after she put spyware on the computer.

"She saw me staying up late on the computer, and I, like, saw some of the paperwork she filled out for the FBI. She thought I was having an affair… which I never did," Valle said. "She didn't expect it."

In reality, Valle had been spending his nights in fetish chat rooms, engaging in gory back-and-forths and writing things like, "letting her bleed out then butcher her while she hangs."

"They have a picture of a beautiful woman laid out on a platter -- that I found attractive, but as far as actually cutting her, you know, none of that stuff ever... the blood stuff never appealed to me," Valle told CBS2.

The FBI found files on Valle's computer that included women's names, addresses, and photos.

"I'd send a bunch of pictures to someone I was role-playing with and they would pick which one was the prettiest. So that person happened to pick my wife. It wasn't like I was shopping her out or that I intended to do any harm to her," he said.

"I'm not so into the whole cannibal part per se. It's more about, like, the bondage stuff," Valle said.

However, Valle had mentioned things online about oven sizes, cutting people up, and preparing them for consumption. So if he is not into cannibalism, what is the explanation for those comments?

"I had created this role where I was the cannibal guy, 'the chef' was my username or whatever it was," Valle said. "As time went on, you know, more and more people wanted to do these role plays with me because I was really good. I kind of wanted to provide and be a little more graphic, and kind of not disappoint -- again, the competitive side in me came out."

The former cop said that he is the least violent person you'll ever meet. He told CBS2 that his online searches for methods of abduction were meant to "add realism to the stories" while role-playing, and that he never intended to hurt anyone.

But in March 2013, he was convicted of kidnapping conspiracy. He spent 21 months in prison.

Valle had a job in the kitchen, which many can see the irony in.

"Of course that was the only job available I didn't have a choice... I am a good cook so people need to get over that," he said.

In July of 2014, a judge overturned Valle's kidnapping conspiracy conviction, saying it was a fantasy role play.

When asked if he would go back to visiting websites dedicated to the dark fantasies, Valle said "I don't know, I can't answer that. I'm not interested in it right now, but if I wanted to, it's not illegal."

Valle was vindicated in the courts, but in the court of public opinion, he knows everyone has their own verdict.

"I wish I wasn't known this way. I wish I never went through this. I wish I still had my wife and daughter with me. I wish I was still a police officer. I miss that stuff every day," Valle said.

Valle's wife divorced him, and he hasn't seen his baby daughter since his arrest. She is now 4.

Since being cleared, Valle's focus is trying to get visitation. He is in therapy, had a girlfriend for a few months, and is working in another field.

Inspired by his lawyer, Valle took the LSATs and is debating a career in law, or even trying to get reinstated in the NYPD. He could sue to do so.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.