War veteran from Claremore accused of making terroristic threats against Trump supporters

CLAREMORE, Okla. – A Claremore man will remain behind bars on terrorism charges stemming from this year’s presidential election.

Thomas ‘Rusty’ Goodman is accused of planning to kill supporters of Donald Trump if he wins the 2024 presidential election.

The state’s case against Goodman carries a possible life sentence and he “would endanger the community if he were released from prison,” a Rogers County District Court judge said Nov. 14.

Goodman’s defense argued in court that his bail should be set at $200,000, but the judge denied the bail entirely.

“(Goodman) was charged with intimidating (and) harassing supporters of Donald Trump and attempting to intimidate the political process,” District Attorney Matt Ballard told 2 News.

The 73-year-old is being considered by the Claremore Police Department more or less a pariah in the Westwood neighborhood, who has specifically targeted Trump supporters in recent years.

Police Chief Steve Cox said his detectives had been tracking Goodman because of repeated reports that he threatened to kill those wearing Trump clothing.
During Thursday’s hearing, prosecutors bonded Goodman with capturing small animals and throwing carcasses into neighbors’ yards and ponds with Trump signs.

According to testimony, he also sent anonymous threatening letters to Claremore residents, businesses, celebrities and lawmakers over several years.

“And I want people to remember that this has nothing to do with politics,” Chief Cox said. “This specifically has to do with people in our community in Claremore who are scared. And they’re so scared that we know people have moved out of that neighborhood. We know people who don’t let their kids play (outside).”

Police arrested Goodman on Nov. 7 at the Claremore Reasor location, where he also threatened a Trump supporter, according to a detective’s testimony.

After obtaining a search warrant, investigators reportedly discovered dozens of guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition in the disabled Vietnam War veteran’s collection.

2 News Oklahoma

Chief Cox added that Nazi flags and signs were also found in the home, leading him to become involved in a case earlier this year involving items found at nearby Westside Elementary School.

“I expect there will probably be additional charges,” Cox said. “But again, I would say this is a very good day for Claremore.”

However, one neighbor 2 News spoke to disagreed that Goodman posed a legitimate danger.

“He might open his mouth about terrorism, but he would never do it,” Deborah Hanson said.

Hanson said she and other widows in her neighborhood view the man as a protector, not a pariah.

“If he had Nazi stuff, he probably picked it up and didn’t put it there,” she said. “I think the community will be less safe if he can’t get out of jail,” she said. “I mean, I feel less safe knowing he’s not here right now.”

Hanson said she is not one of the neighbors who has spoken to police about Goodman, but she would like her opinion to be known in their investigation.

Ballard said this is the first terrorism case for Rogers County in recent history.

“These are incredibly serious allegations,” he said. “(Goodman is) targeting the supporters of a newly elected president, and that is incredibly serious. And so we were very happy that the judge chose to hold him without bail.”

Goodman’s defense pleaded not guilty at the start of the bond hearing. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on December 2.

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