Elyria Man Sentenced For Sexually Exploiting Child

ELYRIA, OH - An Elyria man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexually exploiting a 12-year-old he met online, the Department of Justice announced.

"This defendant is a predator who tricked unsuspecting children into sending him graphic images by posing as someone else,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “This case is a disturbing and stark reminder that people online are rarely who they claim to be, and parents need to know who their children are communicating with.”

Christopher Goodin, 33, used multiple social media accounts to meet and talk with a girl in Utah between June and August 2018. Goodin pretended to be a young girl who was being harassed and threatened by an older man. He used a second account to pose as the older man, court documents said.

While pretending to be the older man, he told the girl in Utah that he would stop harassing her friend if she sent sexually explicit photos to him. The 12-year-old complied with his request and sent him pictures, court documents said.

Law enforcement searched Goodin's home in Elyria in October 2018 and found a cell phone with 716 images and 126 videos of suspected child pornography, including bestiality, infants and toddlers, bondage and fetish videos. Investigators also seized a laptop with 63 videos and 32 images of child pornography, and 661 images and 14 videos of another victim. There was also an SD card with 884 image files and 761 video files of suspected child pornography, according to court documents.

Goodin pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor, receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography. He was sentenced last week to 25 years in prison and ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution.

“The FBI is pleased with the 25-year sentence given to Mr. Goodin today,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric Smith. “Individuals who exploit children deserve to spend a significant time behind bars. Parents are urged to be aware with whom their children interact with online. Children should be loved, cherished, and protected not used for the benefit of someone’s sexual gratification.”