Pastor Arrested on Sexual Battery Charge

A 52-year-old man is behind bars after Manatee County deputies say he sexually assaulted a 17-year-old boy on July 4.

Juan Jose Gomez, pastor at Wimauma’s Iglesia De Dios Church, was brought into custody Monday evening by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Gomez, the Manatee sheriff’s office wrote in an email to media, had a warrant out for his arrest in relation to a sexual assault that occurred July 4. The attack, deputies say, involved a 17-year-old boy and happened at a hunting ranch in northern Manatee County.

Gomez was being held without bond Tuesday at the Hillsborough County Jail.

Anyone with information about the case or other incidents related to Gomez is asked to call the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at 941-747-3011, Ext. 1909.

Booking photo courtesy of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office