Umatilla man sentenced to more than seven years in prison for distributing child sexual abuse material, making false abuse claims
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 23-year-old Umatilla man has been sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison for distributing child sexual abuse material and making harassing phone calls in which he falsely claimed to be sexually abusing children.
Thomas Goatley was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Scott Bradford announced Tuesday.
According to court documents, Goatley used multiple online platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, Discord and X, to view, receive and distribute child sexual abuse material between at least September 2023 and April 2024.
When he was arrested in July 2024, investigators found approximately 50 images and 40 videos depicting the sexual abuse of children in his possession.
Court records also show Goatley made numerous anonymous harassing phone calls to schools, police departments, emergency dispatch centers, animal shelters and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. During the calls, he falsely claimed to be sexually abusing children and provided fabricated details about the alleged abuse.
In one incident, Goatley repeatedly contacted an elementary school in Helena, Montana, claiming he was abusing a student. He also called an elementary school in Newcastle, Wyoming, falsely reporting that he had abducted and was abusing a student. The calls prompted schools in Newcastle to go into lockdown while multiple law enforcement agencies worked to identify the caller.
In another incident, Goatley contacted the Dearborn, Michigan, Police Department and falsely claimed he was abusing his 12-year-old daughter at a local hotel. Officers responded but determined the hotel room he described did not exist.
Between Feb. 17 and April 8, 2024, Goatley also made 10 calls to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, falsely claiming he was abusing either his daughter or sister. He frequently provided false identifying information during the calls.
On Aug. 12, 2026, Goatley waived indictment and pleaded guilty to one count of distributing child pornography and four counts of making obscene or harassing telephone calls.
In addition to his prison sentence, Goatley was ordered to pay $1,000 to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, a $500 special assessment and forfeit the digital devices used in the crimes.
“Individuals who distribute child sexual abuse material contribute to the ongoing exploitation of children, while false reports of child abuse divert critical law enforcement resources and create fear in communities,” Bradford said. “This sentence holds the defendant accountable for both harms.”
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mira Chernick prosecuted it for the District of Oregon.
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