Brian Arthur Goodale, a 56-year-old resident of Lake Elsinore, California, has been sentenced to 13 years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Justin D. Whatcott. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford, who also ordered Goodale to pay restitution to the victim's family for funeral expenses and serve three years of supervised release after his prison term.
The case stemmed from an incident on March 16, 2023, when law enforcement conducted a welfare check on the victim and found him deceased with evidence suggesting a drug overdose. A toxicology report confirmed a lethal dose of fentanyl in the victim's system. The investigation uncovered Facebook messages between Goodale and the victim indicating a transaction involving fentanyl. "Shoot the $100 and I’ll send it now . . . 3pk . . . but I’m gonna need the $200 on Wed. if your still alive!!" read one of Goodale's messages.
Goodale had shipped the fentanyl from Chula Vista, California to Boise, Idaho via the Post Office. His criminal record includes 29 prior convictions in California, with 20 related to controlled substances offenses. At the time of this offense, he was on felony probation for selling fentanyl in Riverside County.
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid significantly stronger than morphine and is primarily associated with illicit use linked to Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations that smuggle it into the United States.
Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott acknowledged the efforts of the Boise Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, and United States Postal Inspection Service in investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian S. Nafzger prosecuted.
