Man arrested on cyberstalking charge for revenge porn and harassment

HONOLULU, Hawaii – Micah Austin Goodale, 26, was arrested today for cyberstalking, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2261A(2). He will make an initial appearance in federal court in the District of Arizona.

U.S. Attorney Kenji M. Price for the District of Hawaii announced that the criminal complaint charges Goodale with systematically harassing one of his former intimate partners by disseminating sexual videos and images of her on multiple websites and social media platforms. Along with these “revenge porn” posts, Goodale included the victim’s personal address, phone number, and other identifying information. Goodale also logged in to the victim’s social media accounts and distributed these sexual images and videos to her list of friends and family, and even threatened to send the materials to the victim’s employer. Goodale also sent the victim repeated death threats and degrading insults by email and text messages, and threatened her family members with harm.

“The troubling allegations in the complaint highlight an all-too-common form of criminal activity enabled by the increased connectivity we have through the Internet: cyber-stalking and cyber-harassment. My office will vigorously pursue for prosecution those who weaponize the Internet by using it to harass others,” stated U.S. Attorney Price.

"The FBI takes cyber crimes very seriously. Working alongside our fellow agents in Phoenix, no one is out of reach from the jurisdiction of the FBI. Today's arrest is a testament to the unwavering commitment, dedication, and hard work of the men and women of the FBI," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eli S. Miranda.

The charges in the complaint are merely allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This prosecution was investigated by FBI in Honolulu, Hawaii. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Morgan Early.