NEW YORK, N.Y. - The lawyer for a man accused of conspiring with a New York City police officer to rape and murder a woman says he was happy when the FBI showed up at his home.

That's because the attorney says her client thought agents would help him catch people who were serious about acting on their deviant sexual fantasies.

The lawyer, Alice Fontier, made the statement Thursday as she asked a federal judge to let her client out on bail. She represents Michael Vanhise. The 22-year-old auto mechanic is charged with kidnapping conspiracy, which could result in a life prison sentence if he is convicted.

Manhattan federal Judge William Pauley denied bail after a prosecutor recounted some online conversations in which they say Vanhise discussed abusing small children.

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