Michael Goodale age 30 was booked into the Cerro Gordo County Jail Tuesday afternoon following a law enforcement investigation into alleged sexual abuse against at least two juvenile boys.
The sexual abuse is alleged to have occurred several times in the Mason City and Clear Lake area recently.
Goodale has been charged with 3 counts of sexual abuse in the 3rd degree in violation of Iowa Statue 709.4.
State statute 709.4 states, “A person commits sexual abuse in the third degree when the person performs a sex act under any of the following circumstances, 4. The act is performed while the other person is mentally incapacitated, physically incapacitated, or physically helpless.” Sexual abuse in the third degree is a class C felony and carries up to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine if convicted.
Michael Goodale was an employee of Opportunity Village in December 2007 when he led local police deputies on a high speed chase with three clients in the vehicle. The chase ended after Goodale lost control of his vehicle, spinning into the Winnebago River. One of the clients was stuck in the vehicle for several minutes before deputies were able to free him on that cold December evening.
In that incident Michael Goodale was initially charged with four felonies, one count of eluding police, and three counts of neglect and abandonment. In a plea bargain all but one charge of neglect and abandonment was dropped. Goodale pled guilty and was ordered to pay $130 in court costs.
Additionally District Court Judge Colleen Weiland suspended a ten year prison sentence and suspended a $1000 fine, sentencing Goodale to five years of probation with the Iowa Department of Corrections. Court records indicate he was discharged from probation after just two and half years.
A Facebook page for Michael Goodale lists “works at Headstart”. Staff at NorthIowaToday.com was unable to confirm his employment at this time.
Michael Goodale is currently being held in the Cerro Gordo County Jail on $10,000 cash or surety bond. The Mason City Police Department is still investigating the alleged sexual abuse incidents and is asking that anybody with additional information contact them at (641) 421-3636.
Subject is innocent until proven guilty.
