Pastor charged with sexually assaulting teen in Manatee County

MANATEE -- A Wimauma pastor is facing charges he sexually assaulted a 17-year-old boy, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

At 8 p.m. Monday, Hillsborough County deputies arrested Juan Gomez at his home in the 5300 block of Vel Street in Wimauma on a Manatee County warrant for sexual battery, according to a news release.

Gomez, 52, is pastor at Iglesia De Dios church (Church of God) in Wimauma.

Investigators began investigating July 21 after receiving information Gomez sexually assaulted the boy July 4 at a hunting ranch in north Manatee County. The church acknowledged knowing him but declined comment.

Gomez is being held without bond at the Hillsborough County jail. He is scheduled to be transferred to the Manatee County jail to face the charges filed against him.

Anyone with information on this case or other incidents can call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at 941-747-3011, ext. 1909.

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter@JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published July 29, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Pastor charged with sexually assaulting teen in Manatee County ."