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A Florida undercover operation targeting accused child sex predators has resulted in the arrest of a man previously connected to a Jacksonville church, according to Marion County deputies. Former Oceanway Church Volunteer John Goodman Arrested In Marion County Child Predator Sting.
John Goodman faces multiple charges, including allegedly using a computer to solicit parent or guardian consent and destroying evidence, after deputies say he attempted to arrange a sexual encounter with a 7-year-old girl. According to investigators, Goodman had been messaging with someone he believed was a man trying to arrange for Goodman to have sex with his young daughter. That person was actually an undercover officer. Deputies say Goodman was taken into custody after showing up at the agreed meeting location.
Luis and Larissa Peña, who previously served as youth leaders at Oceanway Church, stated the arrest did not surprise them. Luis Peña described Goodman as someone who was regularly present across ministry activities — worship, outreach events, and more — well before any investigation began. He said he believes the church has downplayed that involvement.
A second former youth leader, who was not named, said Goodman coached children in singing and piano through the church's Fine Arts program and also worked around kids during Vacation Bible School.
Oceanway Church responded through an attorney, stating that Goodman served only as a volunteer and held no formal role within the church. According to the statement, Goodman volunteered in the church's adult music program on Sunday mornings in the main sanctuary and was never part of pastoral staff, leadership, or any official church position.
The church also disclosed a prior matter involving Goodman's family, stating that concerns were brought to its attention several years ago. The church said whatever was alleged did not occur on church property or during any church activity, and that the matter was reported to the Florida Department of Children and Families, with the church cooperating fully and following DCF's direction. The church confirmed that Goodman's family was ultimately asked to leave the congregation and has not returned. Details and outcomes of that earlier DCF investigation remain unclear.
Goodman remains booked on multiple charges connected to the sting operation. The church says it remains focused on child and family safety and is open to answering questions from its congregation moving forward.
The factual information above was sourced from news4jax.com as of July 8, 2026.
The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.
When a longtime church volunteer is arrested in a child predator sting, the criminal case is only one piece of a larger picture. Families and former congregants often start asking harder questions — what the organization knew, when it knew it, and whether its response measured up. Our team spoke with FL attorney Michael Haggard about the legal options available to survivors and families, and how a church's moral responsibility can differ from its legal one.
Editor Darla Medina: When news breaks that a longtime church volunteer has been arrested in a child predator sting, what should families and former congregants understand about what happens next, separate from the criminal case?
Attorney Michael Haggard: The criminal case runs on its own track through law enforcement and prosecutors. But there's often a second question people start asking, especially former members of the organization: did the institution itself do enough? That's a civil matter, and it usually comes down to negligence — negligent hiring, retention, or supervision.
Medina: What does negligent supervision actually look like in practice?
Haggard: It asks whether the organization knew, or reasonably should have known, about warning signs and failed to act on them appropriately. If there were prior complaints, prior reports to a child welfare agency, or behavior patterns that should have triggered closer oversight, and the organization's response fell short, that can create liability even when the organization didn't commit any wrongdoing itself.
Medina: How does a prior report to a state agency like DCF factor into that?
Haggard: It can matter quite a bit, depending on timing and what the organization actually did with that information. Did they investigate further? Did they restrict the person's access to children? Did they document their decision-making? An organization that simply asks someone to step away quietly, without more, can find that choice examined closely later on.
Medina: What about someone who moves between congregations or organizations over time? Does that complicate things?
Haggard: It can. If someone leaves one organization under circumstances involving concern, and a new organization doesn't ask the right questions or doesn't get a truthful answer, that raises separate issues about what due diligence looked like on the new organization's end. Background checks, reference calls, and how seriously a "quiet exit" is treated all become relevant.
Medina: For a family who suspects a child may have been harmed, what should they know about deadlines to take legal action?
Haggard: Statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse cases vary a lot from state to state, and many states have extended or reopened filing windows in recent years, recognizing how long it can take survivors to come forward. I'd tell any family in this position not to assume they've missed their chance — that's a question for a lawyer who handles these specific cases, not something to guess at on their own.
Cases like this one show why survivors and families shouldn't have to navigate these questions on their own. If you suspect a child has been harmed by a volunteer, coach, clergy member, or anyone in a position of trust, contact The Legal Herald today to be connected with an experienced attorney for a free, no-obligation consultation. Legal deadlines can apply, and speaking with someone early can help protect your family's options and hold the right parties accountable.
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