CORRECTION: The District Attorney’s Office has corrected the convicted man’s age.

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Press release from the District Attorney’s Office:

Today, Judge John Feeney sentenced Trinidad Cortez Gomez (38 47) of McKinleyville, to serve 8 years in prison after being convicted by a Humboldt County jury on June 2 of two felony counts of child sexual abuse of a girl in her early adolescence.

Gomez molested the young girl on one occasion in his home and another in his car. The child disclosed the abuse to her mother, who did not report it to police. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office began to investigate after receiving a cross report from Child Welfare Services. The child participated in a CAST interview and disclosed what Gomez had done.

During the trial, jurors heard testimony from District Attorney Investigator Ryan Hill, describing cell phone evidence, which revealed Gomez seeking out sexual contact with the minor victim. Gomez testified that he had worked as a local school employee for seventeen years. While testifying, Gomez admitted to masturbating while working at a school multiple times.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm with assistance from District Attorney Investigator Ryan Hill, and District Attorney Victim Witness Advocate Keosha Chambers. Local attorney Owen Tipps defended Gomez.

District Attorney Stacey Eads stated, “Justice has been served thanks to the strength and bravery of a teenage girl.”