Charges filed this week against Ronald G. Goodman, Sr., 57, allege he helped escaped prisoners commit a series of burglaries in Green and Iowa counties last May. Goodman allegedly did so in an attempt to recover some of the $150,000 he had lost to an internet scam, where he believed he was corresponding with potential lovers.
Goodman faces three felony counts of harboring and aiding a felon, three felony counts of burglary as a party to a crime, and two misdemeanor theft charges. A warrant for his arrest was issued on June 25.
The burglaries occurred shortly before Goodman committed a robbery at a Fitchburg convenience store, using a shoplifted BB gun. In November, Goodman was convicted and faced up to 40 years in prison, but was sentenced to only seven months after positive community letters were presented to the judge.
Brandon J. Disrud, 25, who allegedly participated in the burglaries, was also charged. He faces felony burglary, armed burglary, and theft charges. Two other men, Brandon Garecht, 24, and Nicholas Jay Batzler, 33, are implicated and are currently incarcerated in Illinois prisons for a separate residential burglary.
Goodman’s criminal history in Wisconsin is recent, dating back to 2012, when he was first caught writing bad checks. In 2011, he lost substantial amounts of money to scammers operating a “Nigerian scam,” leading to a downward spiral. Over the course of about a year, Goodman lost between $150,000 and $200,000, sending money to scammers he believed were helping foreign women come to the U.S. to be with him.
Goodman became involved with Disrud through a church, where Goodman was asked to mentor him. After Disrud and his associates escaped from the Rock County Jail in May, Goodman allegedly provided them with shelter and a truck for their criminal activities. In exchange, the trio promised him a share of the burglary loot.
The burglaries targeted homes in Green County, including in Argyle, Monroe Township, and Clarno Township, totaling $12,400 in stolen property, including jewelry, coins, binoculars, and a firearm.
