Former NYPD officer dubbed 'Cannibal Cop' sentenced to time served

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A former New York City police officer acquitted of conspiring to kidnap, kill and eat women was sentenced to time served on Wednesday for unlawfully accessing a federal database.

Gilberto Valle also received one year of probation, must continue to get mental health treatment and cannot contact women involved in the case.

Prosecutors are appealing Judge Paul Gardephe's decision to override a jury verdict and order Valle acquitted of conspiracy.

Valle was dubbed the "cannibal cop" by tabloids after his 2012 arrest.

Jurors heard evidence that he conversed online with people he had never met about killing and cooking his wife and others.

The jury convicted him of conspiracy, but the judge wrote that evidence made it "more likely than not the case that all of Valle's Internet communications about kidnapping are fantasy role-play."

Defense lawyers said previously that their client had suffered enough.

"He has lost nearly everything," one said. "He lost his job. He lost his liberty for 21 months. He lost his wife and his child. He lost many of his friends. He lost his reputation and anonymity."

The lawyers have said Valle now recognizes that the substance of his Internet chats was "deeply troubling and disturbing" and meets weekly with a counselor to discuss it.

"Although having his sexual fantasies revealed in the public forum of this prosecution has been devastatingly embarrassing for Gil, there also is a sense of relief and liberation in being able to confront and overcome them," the lawyers wrote.

They added: "Gil does not want his life's legacy to be the story of the 'Cannibal Cop.' He is only 30 years old and intends to make something more out of his life. Inspired by the team of people who defended his innocence, Gil wants to go to law school."

Valle spoke to reporters upon his release this summer.

"I would like to apologize to everyone who has been hurt, shocked and offended by my infantile actions," he said.

In one exchange, Valle, known as mhal52 wrote, "maybe we'll tie her to a rotisserie and cook her alive...we will stuff an apple in her mouth." But he also wrote "...it's all fantasy..."

His wife, Kathleen Mangan-Valle, testified that she found her name and picture among the twisted discussions.

But none of that mattered, said defense attorney Julia Gatto.

"We don't put people in jail for their thoughts," she said. "We are not the thought police, and the court system is not the deputies of the thought police."

Surrounded by his family and a crush of reporters and photographers, Valle wanted one thing.

"Forgive me," he said. "I'm tired and want to go home and spend some time with my family. I want to go home guys. Please, 21 months. I'd like to go home."

Valle faced life in prison.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The NYPD fired Valle after his conviction.