New York's so-called "cannibal cop" was found guilty Tuesday of plotting to kidnap young women he had fantasized about eating, after four days of jury deliberations in a US federal court.

Gilberto Valle, 28, faces a possible life sentence. The case has riveted the Big Apple tabloid media and raised questions about freedom of speech. No women were harmed, and Valle's defense argued he merely had disturbing fantasies, AFP reported.