After raping at least 20 children and molesting around 1,000 more, a child predator was sentenced to prison. However, much to his victims’ horror, he was freed early for an incredibly disturbing reason.
Although most people leave behind at least some positive impact when they leave this earth, Gregory Lee McCrea is not one of those individuals. In fact, one could easily argue that the man has caused enough damage to humanity to last several generations. Still, his victims say he didn’t receive the justice he deserves.
The 75-year-old Washingtonian boasts a legacy of evil, beginning with ties to Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh and white supremacist serial killer Chevie Kehoe. Along with an arsenal of weapons and ammunition found during a raid of McCrea’s home, authorities uncovered massive caches of child pornography, including video footage of him raping children, The Spokesman-Review reports.
McCrea pleaded guilty to dozens of charges, including 11 counts of child rape involving at least 8 victims between the ages of 3 and 11. However, prosecutors believe he raped at least 25 children and sexually abused hundreds more. McCrea confirmed this suspicion, confessing that he had around 1,000 child victims.
McCrea was eventually sentenced to more than 26 years in prison, which many believed wasn’t a harsh enough punishment but would have to suffice. Unfortunately, thanks to the push for prison reform, McCrea wouldn’t even complete the sentence he was given.
After serving just 20 years in prison, McCrea’s sentence was cut short “in accordance with the revised good conduct time provisions provided in the First Step Act,” the Bureau of Prisons’ public affairs office confirmed. Although the judge presiding over McCrea’s trial rejected sentencing guidelines that recommended just 14 years, McCrea’s full sentence would never be fulfilled.
McCrea was initially arrested after authorities discovered hundreds of firearms, 100,000 rounds of ammunition, over 70 pipe bombs, 28 pounds of C-4 explosive, 56 grenades, a grenade launcher, and a 20 mm cannon. His collection of child pornography and arsenal were found at his home as well as several storage units under his name.
One of McCrea’s victims told 4 News Now that he was someone her family trusted with her as a child. It was during her formative years that McCrea sexually abused her. She explained that his early release for good behavior has only added to her trauma and made her “afraid for kids.”
“Yes, 100-million percent. In my eyes, this guy is a terrorist,” she said. “He should’ve never seen the light of day. He should’ve never seen the light of day. Even right now, he shouldn’t be where he’s at. He should be stuck in a jail cell.”
Upon his release, McCrea returned to Spokane. Fortunately, authorities managed to re-arrest him shortly after his return. Police confirmed that they were able to book and process the child rapist on a second conviction, which requires him to serve the remaining 5 years on a separate state prison sentence.
McCrea’s most recent arrest is the only hope his victims have of him serving out his full sentence. However, thanks to prison reformists, he just might be out once again before he has completed his final 5 years.
Although prison reform would be a welcome revision for certain non-violent criminals, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Unfortunately, it’s already resulting in shorter sentences for the most dangerous predators.
