A Texas man who eagerly plotted to on the Dark Web to rape, kill and eat a child has been jailed for 40 years.
Alexander Nathan Barter of Joaquin, Texas was jailed on Thursday after he pleaded guilty to charges of child pornography distribution and trying to coerce and entice a minor.
According to the Tyler Morning Telegraph, the 23-year-old was also told during sentencing that he will be supervised for the rest of his life.
WFTV reported that authorities said in October 2018, Barter wrote on the Dark Web that he wanted to "try necrophilia and cannibalism and see how it feels to take a life."
According to court documents, he said: "If you'd be willing to let me kill you, are in the U.S. (preferably in the South) and can travel by car, contact me."
The U.S. Department of Justice said an undercover officer posing as the father of a 13-year-old girl replied to Barter's advert, reported the news outlets.
In a series of messages with the officer, Barter expressed his desire to rape, kill, and eat the girl.
CBS Local reported that Barter had also provided the undercover officer with instructions on traveling from Florida to Shelby County, Texas, what to tell the child to get her to go along, and how to conceal evidence of their crime.
Barter then arranged to meet the officer in Joaquin on October 19, 2018, taking along a knife, garbage bag, a tablet, and a cell phone, investigators said.
U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Cox said: "As this chilling case demonstrates, online talk is not always just talk.
"The constant vigilance of our law enforcement partners has prevented an evildoer from finding a like-minded accomplice and bringing his grisly plan to fruition.
"This case is a sobering reminder of how the brave men and women of law enforcement face down the worst of the worst in the scariest of scenarios."
Mark Dawson, special agent in charge of HSI Houston, said it was one of the most shocking plots he had encountered.
He said: "In my 23-year career in law enforcement, this is among the most morally depraved and appalling criminal conspiracies that I have come across.
"Without the quick and decisive actions of special agents, this disturbed predator would still be out there looking for potential victims to carry out his sick and demented fantasies."
Barter pleaded guilty to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and distribution of child pornography in December and has been awaiting sentencing.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
