Micah Goodale: 3 Years for Digital Revenge

HONOLULU, HI – Micah Austin Goodale, 27, of Queen Creek, Arizona, will spend the next three years behind bars after being sentenced today for a particularly vicious act of cyberstalking. Chief U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright handed down the 36-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, for Goodale’s relentless harassment of a former partner.

The case, laid bare in court documents, reveals a pattern of calculated cruelty. Goodale, during a prior relationship with the victim, secretly recorded sexually explicit videos. When the relationship soured, he didn’t just walk away – he weaponized those recordings. He uploaded them to a publicly accessible pornographic website, and that wasn’t enough. He then brazenly included the victim’s full name, phone number, and address alongside the videos, actively inviting online harassment.

The digital assault didn’t stop there. On November 13, 2019, Goodale hacked into the victim’s Facebook account – while she was residing in the District of Hawaii – and plastered links to the explicit videos across her social network. He then created a fake Twitter profile using her name and likeness, further disseminating the damaging content. Throughout the ordeal, Goodale bombarded the victim with harassing messages, both directly and on public forums, amplifying the torment.

“Cyberstalking and revenge pornography are just new forms of harassment and intimidation that have been made possible by advancing social media technology,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Judith A. Philips. “The digital nature and global reach of social media present unprecedented potential for harm, and criminals who abuse these new technologies to unlawfully harass and intimidate others in substantial ways will be brought to justice.” This case serves as a stark warning: the internet is not a shield for abuse.

Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Steven Merrill minced no words, calling Goodale’s actions “horrific” and acknowledging the “immeasurable” impact on the victim. “By using online tools to scare and disrupt the victim’s life, the defendant tormented and caused substantial distress,” Merrill said. “While today’s sentencing cannot erase that harm, it ensures he will remain behind bars for a very long time, unable to victimize anyone else.”

The investigation was spearheaded by the FBI, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg Paris Yates leading the prosecution. Goodale pleaded guilty to a single count indictment on July 7, 2021. This conviction highlights the FBI’s commitment to tracking down and punishing those who exploit vulnerable individuals through digital means, and sends a message that such predatory behavior will not be tolerated. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on similar instances of digital abuse.