New Mexico DOJ Arrests Thomas Nathaniel Goff for Child Solicitation

AG: New Mexico Press Releases

Filed November 21st, 2025

Detected March 18th, 2026

Summary

The New Mexico Department of Justice, in coordination with the FBI, has arrested Thomas Nathaniel Goff on charges of Child Solicitation by Electronic Communication Device. Goff is accused of soliciting a minor and faces up to nine years in prison if convicted.

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What changed

The New Mexico Department of Justice, in collaboration with the FBI, has arrested Thomas Nathaniel Goff and charged him with Child Solicitation by Electronic Communication Device. The arrest stems from an investigation where Goff allegedly solicited sex from an undercover FBI agent posing as a 12-year-old girl, with the intent to meet and engage in sexual activity. Goff has been booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center.

This enforcement action highlights the ongoing efforts to combat child predators operating online. Regulated entities and legal professionals should be aware of the severe penalties associated with child solicitation, including a potential nine-year prison sentence for a second-degree felony conviction. The swift apprehension of Goff by law enforcement underscores the importance of coordinated investigations in protecting minors from online exploitation.

What to do next

Review internal policies and training related to online child safety and reporting mechanisms.
Stay informed on state and federal initiatives targeting online child exploitation.

Penalties

Second-degree felony, carrying a penalty of nine years if convicted.

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The New Mexico Department of Justice Arrests Child Predator for Soliciting Sex from a Minor

November 21, 2025

Albuquerque, NM – Agents with the New Mexico Department of Justice’s Special Investigations Bureau, working in coordination with the FBI, have arrested Thomas Nathaniel Goff. He is charged with Child Solicitation by Electronic Communication Device. Goff is accused of soliciting what he believed to be a 12-year-old girl for sex and attempting to meet the child in person with the intent to engage in sexual activity or an obscene performance.

The charge is a second-degree felony which carries a penalty of nine years if convicted.

“Goff’s predatory actions are absolutely reprehensible, and he has no business being anywhere near New Mexico’s children,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “Thanks to the swift, coordinated work of our Special Investigations agents and our federal partners at the FBI, we were able to take him into custody. My office is now moving forward with prosecution, and we will continue to use every tool available to identify, arrest, and aggressively prosecute child predators.”

In September of 2025, an undercover FBI Agent created an online ad posing as a 12-year-old girl looking for friends. Using an alias, Goff responded to the ad on November 17, 2025, and after identifying that he was chatting with a minor, Goff began asking sexual questions and asking for graphic photographs. The online conversation moved to a text exchange, where Goff continued asking sexual questions and encouraged sexual behavior of the minor.

On November 19, 2025, Goff urged the minor to meet for physical, sexual engagement. Goff organized a meet-up at a nearby park in Albuquerque at the conclusion of school. On the afternoon of November 20, 2025, agents witnessed a vehicle entering the parking lot of the meetup location. Several times the vehicle circled the lot and then eventually stopped as the minor alerted Goff that she was on the other side of the park. Goff then texted the minor inviting her to get into his vehicle. Upon positive identification of the suspect, agents then engaged and apprehended Goff.

“Finding dangerous adults who are seeking out intimate relationships with children will always be our top priority,” said NMDOJ Director of Special Investigations Kyle Hartsock. “I’m happy to see Mr. Goff will be removed from our streets. Our agents, and the FBI worked together to ensure that Mr. Goff is not able to victimize minors.”

Goff has been booked and detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center. A copy of the lapel footage can be found below.