Umatilla man faces federal charges related to threats of violence against children and possession of child sexual abuse images

PORTLAND — (Press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office) A Umatilla, Oregon, man accused of making multiple prank phone calls threatening to sexually assault children and possessing dozens of photos and videos of child sexual abuse has been charged in federal court.

Thomas Loren Goatley, 20, has been charged with receiving and possessing child pornography and making interstate threats.

According to court documents, Goatley allegedly made more than 60 phone calls to various schools, police departments, emergency hotlines, and animal shelters in at least 12 states between approximately January 5, 2024, and April 30, 2024. During many of these calls, Goatley claimed that he was sexually abusing or about to sexually abuse a child. While investigating these threats, FBI special agents discovered that Goatley was also the subject of numerous CyberTipline reports filed with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), indicating that he was actively receiving and distributing child sexual abuse material.

On July 22, 2024, detectives executed a federal search warrant on Goatley’s person and residence in Umatilla, and he was arrested. A subsequent 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 held pending further proceedings. He was arraigned Thursday and entered a not guilty plea. A four-day jury trial is scheduled for October 22, 2024.

Receiving and possessing child pornography is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years. Transmitting interstate threats is punishable by up to five years in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Umatilla Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Mira Chernick, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

An indictment is merely an accusation of a crime. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Anyone with information about physical or online child exploitation is encouraged to call the FBI at (503) 224-4181 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.