Ft. Thompson Man Found Guilty of Sexual Abuse of a Minor

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted Loren Goodlow, age 34, of Ft. Thompson, South Dakota, of eight counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor, two counts of Abusive Sexual Contact, two counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography, and Tampering with a Witness following a three-day jury trial in federal district court in Rapid City, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on December 7, 2023.

The defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years up to a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. Each count of conviction also carries a maximum fine of $250,000, a term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. 

Goodlow was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2023. 

Evidence at trial established that on March 18, 2023, Goodlow engaged in sexual acts with two minor females who had attained the age of 12 years old but not attained the age of 16 while on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Goodlow also enticed one of the minors in December of 2022 and engaged in sexual acts with the minor between December 26, 2022, and January 16, 2023. After the minor disclosed in March of 2023, Goodlow attempted to tamper with one of the witnesses over Facebook Messenger, by repeatedly telling the minor to recant the disclosure. The investigation also revealed that on December 8, 2021, Goodlow enticed another minor female and attempted to receive child pornography.

The acts of enticement and receipt of child pornography all occurred over the social media application of Snapchat.

This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date has not been set. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.