PROVIDENCE, RI - A Warwick man charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with producing and possessing child pornography has been ordered detained in federal custody.
Thomas Goodman, 45, was ordered detained by U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond at his initial appearance in U.S. District Court on charges of enticing a minor to engage in illicit sexual conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography and possession of child pornography.
According to court documents, it is alleged that Goodman’s personal phone was confiscated by his employment supervisor at Electric Boat, as he was using his phone on Electric Boat property against company/government policy. A security officer at Electric Boat conducted a search of the phone and allegedly discovered a large quantity of child pornography. The security officer contacted North Kingstown Police and turned the phone over to a North Kingstown police detective.
According to court documents, it is alleged that while securing the phone the North Kingstown police detective noticed an application that was open and displaying images of child pornography. Bases on a subsequent investigation by members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which included statements allegedly made to investigators by the defendant, the execution of a search warrant at his residence, and interviews of others, investigators determined that beginning in May 2011, until as recently as April 2017, Goodman allegedly molested three prepubescent children known to him. It is alleged that some of the illicit encounters were digitally recorded.
The filing of a federal criminal complaint in this matter and the initial appearance of Goodman in U.S. District Court in Providence are announced by United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch, North Kingstown Police Chief Patrick Flanagan, Rhode Island State Police Superintendent Colonel Ann C. Assumpico and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Production of child pornography is punishable by statutory penalties of a mandatory minimum of 15 years up to 30 years imprisonment, mandatory special assessments of $5,100 and a fine of up to $250,000. Possession of child pornography is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment, mandatory special assessments of $5,100 and a fine of up to $250,000.
United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch acknowledges and thanks Homeland Security Investigations for their assistance in preparing this matter for prosecution.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
