Judge: Former pastor abused his authority in sexual battery of teenage boy

A former Wimauma pastor convicted of sexually battering a teenage boy was sentenced to 18 years prison and will be designated a sexual predator.

Juan Gomez, 53, was found guilty by a jury in April of sexual battery upon a minor between the ages of 12 and 18 by a person in custodial authority and unlawful sexual activity with a minor.

Gomez was sentenced Friday afternoon to 18 years in prison followed by 10 years of sexual predator probation by Circuit Judge Hunter Carroll.

Despite the many testimonials in Gomez’s behalf that were given by family, friends and members of the Iglesia de Dios (Church of God), Carroll told Gomez that it was “just extra improper in that type of authority” to take advantage of a teenage boy, and that is why the law requires he face a harsher sentence.

The victim was not present during the sentencing, because it would be too emotionally overwhelming, according to Assistant State Attorney Brian Chambers and a Florida Department of Corrections officer who handled the presentencing investigation and interviewed the victim.

“Juan Gomez has ruined my life,” Chambers said on behalf of the victim.

Because of what Gomez did to him, the victim says he suffers from nightmares and flashbacks. He also has sought counseling because of trust and anger management issues.

Defense attorney Benny Santiago Jr. had argued for a downward departure in sentencing, asking for probation instead of any prison time so that Gomez could pay restitution to the victim that would help “make him whole” better than punishment would.

“This victim will never be whole,” Chambers argued back. “No amount of money will make this victim whole.”

Chambers said that despite the defense’s claim that there had been no physical harm to the victim, the mental harm that was caused cannot be fixed with money.

“Yes, putting the defendant in prison will put a burden on his family, but the crimes he has committed is a burden on our society,” Chambers said. “The defendant put himself in position of trust throughout his history. We heard from the witnesses that the defense presented that this is someone who purposely put himself in position with vulnerable youth.”

This story was originally published June 30, 2017 at 6:07 PM with the headline "Judge: Former pastor abused his authority in sexual battery of teenage boy."