US — Somerset County, New Jersey. A 32-year-old male described in some mainstream news sources as a “transgender mom” who “fathered” a seven-year-old will serve a 25-year sentence in state prison for raping and allowing accomplices to rape the girl on film.

Marina Volz, who now identifies as a woman and was previously named Matthew, won custody of his daughter in December 2018. He moved the child from his mother’s home in Oregon to his home in Franklin Township, New Jersey with the aide of two accomplices and the plan of sexually abusing his daughter and filming it, he revealed in his confession before Somerset County Superior Court.

He raped the child alone, and with accomplice Ashley Romero, an aged 28 male who identifies as female and was previously named Adam Romero. Mr Romero also jointly raped the child with Sean Allen, an aged 54 United States Navy veteran.

The trio operated a “family-owned transgender pornography production studio specializing in amateur, BDSM and taboo fetish content” out of the home, the court heard.

The men used a cage in the basement, neck collar, sex toys and other devices in the sexual exploitation of the child, which they recorded on multiple devices.

An investigation was launched in January 2019 after an anonymous tip was called in to the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency via its Child Abuse Hotline.

Investigators executing a search warrant at Mr Volz’s home seized 30 computers, cameras and digital storage devices. Video of the repeat child sex abuse and group text exchanges between Mr Volz, Mr Romero, Mr Allen and other parties discussing the abuse were retrieved from the devices.

Firearms, a high-capacity ammunition magazine, and cocaine were also discovered in the home during the search.

Arrests were made in December 2019.

On November 16, 2021, the three men pleaded guilty to various human sex trafficking, sexual assault and child endangerment charges. Mr Volz additionally pleaded guilty to a 4th degree count of Possession of a High Capacity Ammunition Magazine.

Dulcinea Gnecco, aged 21, admitted to filming Mr Volz’s daughter while the child was in a partially naked state. She pleaded guilty to one second and one third degree charges of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

Assistant Somerset County Prosecutor Brian Stack told Judge Peter Tober, presiding, that the four “are incapable of redemption,” and have not “to this day” accepted full responsibility, instead blaming others.

At the May 6 sentencing, Judge Tober slammed the crimes against the child as “heinous, cruel and depraved.” The judge handed Mr Volz and Mr Romero each a 25-year prison sentence that will not be eligible for parole in less than 25 years. Mr Allen received a 12-year prison sentence, of which he must serve a minimum of ten before becoming eligible for parole. Ms Gnecco was sentenced to five years.

All four will serve their sentences in the New Jersey State Prison. As of July 2021, New Jersey state prisoners are able to choose to be imprisoned based on the sex they say they identify as, rather than the sex they are. The policy came about as part of a settlement for a lawsuit against the New Jersey Department of Corrections.

Following release, Mr Volz, Mr Romero and Mr Allen will be subject to lifetime parole supervision.