Attorney Prim F. Escalona | U.S. Department of Justice
A Pelham resident has been sentenced to 80 years in prison for charges related to the sexual exploitation of a child. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Kelly J. Blackmon.
U.S. District Court Judge L. Scott Coogler sentenced Neal Richard Goodacre, 54, to 960 months in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. In July, Goodacre admitted guilt to two counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. He will be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
The plea agreement revealed that in July 2023, the Queensland, Australia, Child Exploitation Task Force discovered child pornography images on a Russian file-sharing website. The account linked to these images was traced back to Goodacre's residence in Pelham, Alabama. On September 13, 2023, HSI conducted a search at his home and found two electronic devices containing 29 images and one video of child pornography. Some of this material had been produced by Goodacre.
The investigation involved collaboration between Homeland Security Investigations, the Queensland Child Exploitation Task Force, and the Pelham Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel S. McBrayer handled the prosecution.
Authorities encourage anyone who suspects or is aware of potential child sexual exploitation to contact law enforcement immediately. Reports can be made to the FBI Birmingham Office at 205-326-6166 or through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at www.cybertipline.org.
This case was part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. This program unites federal, state, and local resources to identify offenders who exploit children online and rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
