University of Oregon history professor arrested on multiple child sex abuse charges – KVAL

Report on Law Enforcement Action in Lane County in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary: Upholding SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

On November 21, law enforcement in Lane County, Oregon, executed an arrest that directly supports the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable institutions. The arrest of a 72-year-old man on charges related to child exploitation underscores a commitment to Target 16.2: ending abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against children.

Incident Details

• Subject: Andrew Edmund Goble, age 72
• Affiliation: Professor of History and Medieval Studies, University of Oregon
• Date of Arrest: November 21
• Location of Warrant Execution: 1900 block of Dogwood Drive, Eugene, Oregon
• Charges Filed:
  1. 10 counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the 1st Degree
  2. 10 counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the 2nd Degree

Multi-Agency Collaboration: A Model for SDG Target 16.A

The investigation and subsequent arrest exemplify the strengthening of institutions as called for in SDG Target 16.A. The operation was not conducted in isolation but was a coordinated effort that reinforces the rule of law and the capacity to combat crime.

• Lead Investigating Body: The Lane County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force
• Primary Law Enforcement Agency: Lane County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO)
• Collaborating Partners:
  • Lane County District Attorney’s Office
  • Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
  • Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)

This partnership demonstrates a robust institutional framework dedicated to protecting vulnerable populations and ensuring justice, a cornerstone of SDG 16.

Institutional Response: Safeguarding Education under SDG 4

The University of Oregon’s response to the arrest aligns with SDG 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, including Target 4.A to provide safe, non-violent, and inclusive learning environments.

1. Notification: The University was formally notified by the LCSO on the morning of the arrest.
2. Immediate Action: Andrew Goble was immediately placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
3. Community Safety Assurance: The University communicated that law enforcement has assessed no current threat to the campus community and found no indication of student involvement.
4. Commitment to Cooperation: The institution has pledged its full cooperation with law enforcement agencies as the investigation proceeds.

Conclusion: Advancing Global Goals Through Local Action

This case is a significant local action that contributes to several global Sustainable Development Goals. The primary focus remains on the protection of children and the pursuit of justice, which are fundamental to sustainable development.

• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): The investigation and prosecution directly serve Target 16.2 (End abuse and exploitation of children) and demonstrate the effectiveness of collaborative institutions.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation is critical for ensuring their physical, mental, and emotional well-being throughout their lives.
• SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Efforts to combat sexual exploitation contribute to Target 5.2 (Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls), as such crimes disproportionately affect female victims.

The ongoing investigation by local, state, and federal agencies represents a continued commitment to these principles, ensuring that community safety and the protection of the most vulnerable remain a top priority.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  • This goal is the most relevant as the article’s central theme is crime and the justice system’s response. It details the actions of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute crimes related to child exploitation, highlighting the role of strong institutions in maintaining peace and delivering justice. The article describes an investigation, an arrest, and the filing of criminal charges, all of which are core components of SDG 16.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  1. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
     • The article directly addresses this target. The investigation by the “Lane County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force” and the subsequent arrest for “multiple charges of encouraging child sexual abuse” are actions aimed at combating and ending the exploitation and abuse of children.
  2. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
     • The article demonstrates the rule of law in practice. It describes the execution of a “search warrant,” the arrest of a suspect, and the fact that he was “lodged at the Lane County Jail on 10 counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse.” These are all steps within a formal legal framework designed to deliver justice.
  3. Target 16.A: Strengthen relevant national institutions… to prevent violence and combat… crime.
     • The article highlights institutional strength and cooperation. It explicitly states that the “Lane County Sheriff’s Office received assistance during this investigation from the Lane County District Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations.” This multi-agency collaboration is a clear example of strengthening institutional capacity to combat complex crimes like child exploitation.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  1. Implied Indicator for Target 16.2: The number of reported cases, investigations, and prosecutions for child exploitation.
     • The article provides a specific data point for this indicator: one arrest on “10 counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the 1st Degree and 10 counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the 2nd Degree.” The existence and actions of the “Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force” also serve as a measure of institutional effort to track and respond to these crimes.
  2. Implied Indicator for Target 16.A: The number of joint operations and collaborative investigations between different law enforcement agencies.
     • The article provides a concrete example of a joint effort involving local (Lane County Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office) and federal (Homeland Security Investigations, FBI) agencies. Tracking the frequency of such collaborations can measure progress in strengthening institutional responses to crime.

4. Summary Table of Findings

Source: kval.com