Clarksville, Tennessee, Man Sentenced To Ten Years For Sex Trafficking Of A Louisville, Kentucky Minor

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A Clarksville, Tennessee man was sentenced today in United States District Court by District Judge David J. Hale, to ten years in prison for sex trafficking a 15-year-old female, announced United States Attorney John E. Kuhn, Jr.

“Pursing those who sex traffic vulnerable children is a priority of my office and the Department of Justice,” stated U.S. Attorney Kuhn. “We have an unwavering commitment to ensuring that no child will become the victim of sexual trauma and exploitation.” 

Ralph W. Goodwin, age 66, pleaded guilty to a three count superseding indictment on April 4, 2016. The charges included sex trafficking of a child older than 14 but younger than 18; soliciting a minor to engage in commercial sex acts; and transporting a minor with the intent that the minor engage in prostitution.  Co-defendant Crystal Bradshaw, a/k/a Crystal Thurman, age 42, was charged with recruiting, harboring, transporting and soliciting a minor to engage in a commercial sex act. Bradshaw remains in federal custody and is scheduled for sentencing by District Judge Hale on July 21, 2016, in Louisville.

According to the affidavit attached to the criminal complaint, on August 7, 2015, a 15-year-old female was approached by Crystal Bradshaw, in a Louisville park. Bradshaw took the minor female to a Marriott Hotel in Louisville to engage in sexual contact with Ralph Goodwin, in exchange for a monetary payment. According to the affidavit, Bradshaw received $700 from Goodwin, but the minor was not paid. Further, after two days, Goodwin drove the minor to his home in Clarksville, Tennessee. Eventually, the minor contacted a friend on Goodwin’s computer. The friend contacted the minor’s mother, which resulted in the Montgomery County, TN Sheriff’s Office discovering the minor at Goodwin’s Clarksville home.

Goodwin was initially charged in a separate, sealed criminal complaint on August 23, 2015. The case was unsealed during the initial appearance and detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dave Whalin on Monday, August 31, 2015.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Gregory and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).