Neal Richard Goodacre, Child Exploitation, Alabama 2024

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Pelham man was sentenced to 80 years in prison for child exploitation charges, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Kelly J. Blackmon.

Neal Richard Goodacre, 54, was sentenced to 960 months in prison, followed by a life term of supervised release. In July, Goodacre pleaded guilty to two counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. These convictions will require Goodacre to register as a sex offender in accordance with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

According to the plea agreement, in July 2023, the Queensland, Australia, Child Exploitation Task Force discovered images of child pornography on a Russian file-sharing website. Queensland officers connected the account used to post the images to Goodacre at a residence in Pelham, Alabama. On September 13, 2023, HSI executed a search warrant at Goodacre’s residence. Agents recovered two electronic devices containing 29 images and one video of child pornography. Goodacre produced some of the child pornography he possessed.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case along with the Queensland, Australia, Child Exploitation Task Force and the Pelham Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel S. McBrayer prosecuted the case.

Goodacre's crimes were brought to light as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

If you suspect or become aware of possible sexual exploitation of a child, please contact law enforcement. To alert the FBI Birmingham Office, call 205-326-6166. Reports can also be filed with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) or online at www.cybertipline.org.

The case highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating child exploitation and abuse. The Queensland, Australia, Child Exploitation Task Force played a crucial role in identifying the suspect and bringing him to justice.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndal/pr/pelham-man-sentenced-80-years-prison-child-exploitation-charges