PORTLAND, Ore.—A Umatilla, Oregon man who is alleged to have made several hoax phone calls threatening sexual violence against children and possessed dozens of photos and videos depicting child sexual abuse has been indicted in federal court.
Thomas Loren Goatley, 20, has been charged with receiving and possessing child pornography and making interstate threats.
According to court documents, between approximately January 5 and April 30, 2024, Goatley is alleged to have made more than 60 phone calls to various schools, police departments, emergency lines, and animal shelters in at least 12 states. During many of these calls, Goatley claimed that he was sexually assaulting a child, or that he was about to do so. While investigating these threats, special agents from the FBI discovered Goatley was also the subject of numerous CyberTipline Reports submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) indicating that he was active in receiving and distributing child sexual abuse material.
On July 22, 2024, investigators executed a federal search warrant on Goatley’s person and residence in Umatilla, and he was placed under arrest. A later search of Goatley’s cell phone revealed dozens of illicit images and videos depicting child sexual abuse.
On July 23, 2024, Goatley made his initial appearance in federal court before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was detained pending further court proceedings. He was arraigned Thursday and pleaded not guilty. A four-day jury trial is scheduled to begin on October 22, 2024.
Receiving and possessing child pornography is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison with a five-year mandatory minimum sentence. Transmitting interstate threats is punishable by up to five years in federal prison.
Defendant:
Thomas Loren Goatley
Criminal Charges:
Receiving and possessing child pornography, making interstate threats
City and State:
Umatilla, Oregon
Exact Date:
July 22, 2024 (arrest date)
Sentence or Outcome:
Pending trial
Report child exploitation to the FBI
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Related Federal Cases
- Cameron Jacob Sheoships, Possessing Child Pornography, Oregon 2023 · Colorado
- Nicholas James Stacy, Possessing and Transporting Child Pornography, Oregon 2018 · Hawaii
- Dwayne Yuen, Possessing Child Pornography, Hawaii 2024 · Hawaii
- Robert Wayne Roady, Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Child, Oregon 2020 · Hawaii
- Thomas Arlan Evans, Child Pornography Possession, MI 2023 · Michigan
Key Facts
- State: Oregon
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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