Grisly Details Link Cop from Nashua to 'Cannibal Cop' Case

Although his wife and brother believe Richard Meltz was simply lost in a world of sexual fetish and fantasy, the two bags of tools collected by the Manhatten Attorney General's office, which they contend was to be used in the kidnapping rape, torture and murder of targeted women and children, is quite real. It includes:

• Taser gun
• Rope
• A meat hammer
• Duct tape
• Gloves,
• Cleaning supplies
• Zip ties
• A dental retractor
• Two speculums (a tool for investigating body cavities)
• 12-inch skewers
• Pliers
• A wireless modem
• A leg spreader

Meltz, who is employed as Chief of Police for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Bedford was arrested on April 14 in connection to an FBI investigation into the "Cannibal Cop" rape and murder plot, according to the Manhattan Attorney General's office.  An announcement of the arrest on the AG's website says Meltz resided in Stanhope, NJ, and Nashua.

Meltz was arrested Sunday, and tried to kill himself Monday while in federal lockup in lower Manhattan, according to the New York Daily News.

Meltz, 65, along with Robert C. Asch, a former high school librarian, were linked to that case, arrested and charged with conspiracy to "kidnap, torture, rape and kill women" according to a press release issued by Manhattan U.S. Attorney's office. 

Several news outlets spoke with Meltz's attorney and family members, shedding some light on the life of the Police Chief charged with conspiracy to rape and murder.

In response to an email from the Huffington Post seeking comment, Meltz's attorney Peter Brill said Meltz "is a devoted husband, a loving father and a dedicated public servant. He never had any plan, intent or desire to see anyone hurt or killed at any time in real life. For anyone to suggest otherwise, despite his fantasy role-playing, is ludicrous."

Brill also said Meltz's wife was aware of Meltz's activities, but thought it was purely fantasy, the Huffington Post reports.

"She's very concerned about her husband," Brill said, according to the HuffPost. 

Speaking with the New York Daily News, Meltz's brother, Don Meltz, 67, said he would be surprised to find out that Meltz's conspiracy was based in reality.

“I would be shocked if it was real but I wouldn’t be shocked if it was a fantasy thing . . . sometimes he goes into fantasy,” Don Meltz told the Daily News. 

The employment status of Meltz at the Bedford V.A. Medical Center remains unclear, as V.A. officials could not comment on the case. 

Kristen Pressly, of the Veteran's Hospital in Massachusetts today confirmed that Meltz is employed by the VA, and provided the following statement:

"Our first priority is the safety of our veterans, their family members and our staff, and at this time we have no additional information, but we are  cooperating fully with federal authorities in this ongoing investigation," Pressly said.

Much of Meltz's background remains hazy, as both his LinkedIn and Facebook profiles are set to private. 

Meltz and Asch are charged with conspiring to carry out the plot from as far back as the spring of 2011, according to a report from the Huffington Post. 

The two were tied to the "Cannibal Cop," former New York police officer Gilberto Valle, who was convicted in March of conspiring to kidnap, cook, kill and eat women, . 

While there was no mention of cannibilism in the charges brought against Meltz, he and Asch are accused of conspiring to kidnap, rape and kill multiple victims, including the family of a co-conspirator as well as a woman who turned out to be an undercover FBI agent, according to the HuffPost.

Meltz and Asch are being held without bail after an initial court appearance on Monday. They face maximum penalty of life in prison and up to $250,000 in fines according to the AG's announcement.

Prosecutors told the magistrate judge that Meltz was overheard discussing a plot to murder his wife of 42 years, as well as directing Asch to purchase a taser to use in their plot, according to the Huffington Post.

The taser was recovered when Asch was arrested Monday morning, according to the the detailed complaint filed against the two, which you can read here: U.S. v. Robert Christopher Asch and Richard Meltz Complaint.

Editor's Note: This story corrects an earlier version that said Meltz was arrested April 15.