Brian Arthur Goodale, a 56-year-old resident of Lake Elsinore, California, has been sentenced to 13 years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl, which resulted in an overdose death. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Justin D. Whatcott. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford ordered Goodale to pay restitution to the victim's family for funeral expenses and serve three years of supervised release after his imprisonment.
The case stemmed from a welfare check on March 16, 2023, when law enforcement discovered the deceased victim with drug paraphernalia at the scene. A toxicology report confirmed a lethal dose of fentanyl in the victim's system. The investigation uncovered Facebook messages between Goodale and the victim discussing a drug transaction. Goodale had sent fentanyl from Chula Vista, California, to Boise, Idaho.
Goodale's criminal record includes 29 prior convictions in California, with 20 related to controlled substances. At the time of this offense, he was on felony probation for selling fentanyl in Riverside County.
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid often linked to Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations and transnational cartels that smuggle it into the United States.
Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott praised the Boise Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, and United States Postal Inspection Service for their roles in investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian S. Nafzger prosecuted the case.