People like this deserve a special place in Hell. This dangerous child predator was sentenced to prison after it was discovered he had raped at least 20 children and molested about 1,000 or more. However, the justice system failed his victims and their families, as he was freed early for an incredibly disturbing reason.
Prison reform is an important topic for discussion, particularly as it relates to those who are incarcerated for non-violent offenses. However, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution and can have serious consequences when applied incorrectly.
Such is the case with Gregory Lee McCrea, a 75-year-old Washingtonian whose long list of horrendous crimes against humanity should have resulted in much longer than a 26 year prison sentence. Sadly, thanks to prison reformists, he was released after serving just 20 years – leaving his victims feeling betrayed by the justice system they had placed their trust in.
Gregory Lee McCrea has left behind a dark legacy that will last several generations. His ties to Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh and white supremacist serial killer Chevie Kehoe were only the beginning; authorities uncovered massive caches of child pornography featuring McCrea himself raping children as young as three years old during a raid on his home.
He eventually pleaded guilty to dozens of charges including 11 counts of child rape involving at least 8 victims between 3 and 11 years old – though prosecutors believe he raped at least 25 children and sexually abused hundreds more over time.
At first glance, it may seem that 26 years was far too lenient for someone like McCrea but many thought this would be enough time for him to serve out his full sentence – until prison reformists intervened once again and cut his sentence short by six years due to revised good conduct provisions in the First Step Act.
Understandably, this news has caused immense pain and suffering among his victims who trusted the justice system only to now feel completely betrayed by it. One victim told 4 News Now that she feels “afraid for kids” with him being out early while another said that this decision only added further trauma upon her already traumatizing experience with him as a child.
Fortunately, police managed to re-arrest McCrea shortly after his release and book him on a second conviction which requires him to serve five additional years in state prison before he can be released again – though there is still worry that even this won’t be enough given recent events surrounding prison reform initiatives throughout America.
