Opelika firefighter arrested for sale of pirated DVDs

An Opelika firefighter with more than 10 years in the department is on administrative leave after he was arrested and charged Wednesday in connection with the sale of pirated DVD movies — including pornography titles.

Derek Terence Goggans, 50, of Opelika was arrested at 11:15 a.m. Wednesday at the Opelika fire station in the 200 block of Lake Condy Road, according to Opelika police Capt. Allan Elkins.

Goggans was charged with four counts of manufacturer’s name required on package and four counts of possession, sale, rental, etc. of recorded device in violation of article prohibited, all felonies, Elkins said.

The arrest came following a joint investigation by the Opelika Police Department and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board that lasted less than a month, Elkins said.

An undercover Opelika police officer purchased “a quantity” of pirated DVDs from Goggans at the Lake Condy Road fire station prior to the arrest Wednesday, Elkins said.

Police recovered more than 5,000 pirated DVDs after searching Goggans’ vehicle and home, Elkins said. 

The pirated DVD movies included newly released titles, popular titles and pornography titles, Elkins said.

Opelika fire Chief Terry Adkins said the fire department is conducting an in-house personnel investigation following Goggans’ arrest.

Goggans will be on administrative leave with pay until further notice pending the investigation, Adkins said.

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