Delay in sentencing for former pastor convicted of sexual battery

A former Wimauma pastor convicted of sexually battering a teenage boy has yet to learn his fate.

In April, a jury found Juan Gomez, 53, guilty of sexual battery upon a minor between the ages of 12 and 18 and unlawful sexual activity with a minor. The jurors deliberated for just under an hour at the conclusion of a four-day trial.

Gomez is facing up to life in prison, and he was scheduled to be sentenced on Friday.

A paperwork error caused a delay in the completion of the pre-sentencing investigation, according to Assistant State Attorney Brian Chambers. The investigation, which is standard, was court ordered because Gomez had no prior convictions. The hearing was held, however, and the defense called on some witnesses.

The sentencing hearing will conclude on June 30.

The allegations of the sexual battery first came to light July 21, 2015, after investigators received information Gomez sexually assaulted the boy earlier that month at a hunting ranch in northern Manatee County.

At the time of his arrest, Gomez was a pastor at Iglesia De Dios (Church of God) in Wimauma. Gomez is no longer a member of the church, a bishop testified during the trial.

This story was originally published June 17, 2017 at 4:35 PM with the headline "Delay in sentencing for former pastor convicted of sexual battery."