Heber Springs Man Indicted On Multiple Counts Of Sexual Exploitation Of Minors

LITTLE ROCK – Christopher R. Thyer, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and Cindy Johnson, acting special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans, announced today the arrest of Spencer Goudy, 22, of Heber Springs, and the unsealing of an indictment against Goudy charging him with multiple counts related to the sexual exploitation of minors.

The seven-count indictment, returned by a Federal Grand Jury on July 7, 2015, charges Goudy with the sexual exploitation of five minors ranging in ages between 13 and 16 at the time of victimization. Goudy is charged with 4 counts of enticement of a minor to engage in a sex act, 2 counts of production of child pornography, and 1 count of possession of child pornography.

Homeland Security agents arrested Goudy on July 14, 2015. He is scheduled to appear before United States Magistrate Judge J. Thomas Ray on July 15, 2015. A trial date will be set at that time.

The investigation began in May 2014, when a 13-year-old female disclosed to the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division that she was having a sexual relationship with Spencer Goudy. Goudy was arrested and subsequently charged in Cleburne County with Rape of a Minor less than 14 years of age, a violation of Arkansas Code Annotated 5-14-103(a)(3)(A).

Upon Goudy’s arrest, a cellular telephone was seized and later searched pursuant to a federal search warrant. The search of Goudy’s cellular telephone revealed that Goudy was using his cellular telephone to entice multiple minor females to engage in sex acts. 425 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 500 (501) 340-2600 Post Office Box 1229 Little Rock, Arkansas 72203-1229 Further analysis of Goudy’s cellular telephone revealed multiple images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

“With the advancement of technology and social media, there are now countless ways children can be exploited,” Thyer said. “The arrest of Mr. Goudy today highlights that sad fact and should be another reminder to parents to keep an open dialogue with their children about their use of technology and social media. Our office will continue to prosecute individuals like Mr. Goudy who take advantage of and prey on the vulnerability of children.”

“Individuals who produce child pornography are directly responsible for what is, in plain language, the rape of children. These criminal acts steal the innocence of victims and destroy lives,” Johnson said. “Sexual abuse scars children for life, and HSI will continue to use all the tools in its arsenal to identify the perpetrators of these horrendous acts and seek justice on behalf of their victims.”

Goudy is also charged in White County with Rape of a Minor less than 14 years of age, a violation of Arkansas Code Annotated 5-14-103(a)(3)(A).

Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity, a violation of 18 U.S.C.§ 2422(b), carries a penalty of not less than 10 years to life imprisonment, not less than 5 years to life of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

Production of Child Pornography carries a penalty of not less than 15 years to life imprisonment, not less than 5 years to life of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Possession of Child Pornography carries a penalty of not more than 10 years imprisonment, not less than 5 years to life of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

This investigation was conducted by the Heber Springs Police Department, Arkansas State Police, and HSI. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kristin Bryant.

An indictment contains only allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.