Rhode Island State PoliceA convicted paedophile from Rhode Island fainted in the courtroom as the judge read out his prison sentence.
45-year-old Thomas Goodman was sentenced to 260 years in prison for multiple charges against children – including a newborn baby. He had shared footage of some of the assaults online.
US District Court Judge John J. McConnell ruled that Goodman should serve 30 years for each of the sexual exploitation counts, plus 20 years for the possession of sadistic and masochistic child pornography.
These sentences will be served consecutively, ensuring that Goodman will die behind bars.
According to the Providence Journal, Goodman collapsed upon hearing the verdict, falling forward onto a table. He awoke a few minutes later, allowing Judge McConnell to read out the rest of his sentence.
Goodman’s lawyer, Matthew Dawson, had asked for a 22-year prison sentence, stating Goodman had himself been abused as a child by a teacher he had trusted. He also spoke of Goodman’s clean record prior to the convictions.
However, Assistant US Attorney Lee Vilker asked for a 100 year sentence, describing the case as ‘by far the worst’ he had encountered.
Speaking of Goodman’s victims, Vilker said:
The harm he caused them they’ll never get past.
He scarred them permanently. He abused them for years since they were little girls.
While giving the sentence, Judge McConnell stated, ‘The level of depravity is beyond comprehension’, and emphasised his duty to protect members of the public:
The only way I can do that is to be sure you never get out of prison again, […] I have no assurances you will stop.
Goodman’s crimes were discovered in May 2018 when his supervisor at Electric Boat confiscated his phone after he violated company policy by using it while at work.
The supervisor proceeded to contact the North Kingstown police to report the images he had found on Goodman’s phone.
Goodman pleaded guilty in October 2018.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues, and want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000. If you are a child seeking advice and support call Childline for free on 0800 1111.
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Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.